Posted: May 16, 2005

Triathlon: Dialysis patient to compete at the Florida Half Ironman at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA—32-year-old Shad Ireland, the first chronically ill dialysis patient to compete in and finish an Ironman triathlon, will compete in his second Ironman event at the Florida Half Ironman that will be held May 22, at the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Doctors diagnosed Ireland with Kidney Disease in 1983 at the age of 10 and said he would not live past the age of 25. He has since undergone two unsuccessful kidney transplants but continues to compete.

“I promised myself that I would be running with the best of the world,” he said. “For me, it’s a real honor to be in that class of athletes, and I’m an Ironman.”

Ireland receives dialysis treatment three times a week for four hours per day. He also trains six days a week, alternating daily to train for each of the three disciplines that comprise an Ironman event.

Despite the absence of either of his kidneys, Ireland competed in Ironman Lake Placid, N.Y., last July (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run) and will compete in his first Ironman event of the season at the Florida Half Ironman at WALT DISNEY WORLD®. Ireland will compete in five triathlon events in 2005, including Ironman United Kingdom in August and hopes to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in October.

“This started out about the realization of a personal dream, and know I am learning how one event can change your life so drastically,” he said. “I’m racing to inspire.”

Ireland also launched The Shad Ireland Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to showing kidney dialysis patients the importance of physical fitness to their well being, and how it can contribute to giving them a more “normal” life. For more information on the Foundation please visit shadirelandfoundation.org.

More than 2,000 triathletes from around the world are expected to compete in the Florida Half Ironman at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort. Athletes will be competing for 30 qualifying spots to the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $30,000 pro prize purse.