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Were you a spectator or competitor - what did you think of the Ironman UK Triathlon in Dorset and Somerset?

chris
i was niether spectator or comentator only interested but would to know what the average age is to join this competition - i,m 39.Many thanks

Bev Stone
As a mum, i'm very proud to be able to say that my son took part in the 2007 event, and will be doing so again this year. Myself, and my mum stayed overnight the night before the event to make sure we were there at the start of the race.It was still dark when we left out accomodation, and as we drove nearer to Sherbourne, we could see more and more heads bobbing up and down of competitors who'd decided to get out of the vehicles they were in to get to the start on time. Had they not have done this, there's no way they would have been at the start on time because vehicles were jostling for position trying to get into the area to park, and what made it particularly difficult was the fact that due to heavy rains, they'd had to rope off one of the parking areas, including the disabled car parking! A great shame but nobody has control of the weather i;m afraid. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. The atmosphere was second to none, and cant even start to re-iterate the feeling of joy to see my son come over the kine in a very respectable time. A great day out even if you have nobody in the race. Just cheer for all of them, they all deserve it. Well done to each and every one of you for the 2007 IRONMAN!

Olivia Bogg-Registon
I know somebody doing it this year. It looks hard. But i like Somerset cider.

billy wills
im almost 14 and want to know how to get fit enough to take part in this event and how old you hav to be to take part

Emma Browne
I watched my husband Nathan compete,it was his first ever triathalon let alone ironman and he did so well im very proud of him, it was a great day.

Chris Munn
We went along to Ironman at Sherborne to support our daughter who was competing in her first Ironman, she did really really well especially her swim, and as the swimmers were kept in the very cold water for 15 - 20 mins before given the go I think they all need a 'pat on the back'. The day was good but long with nothing much to do in between competitors coming in. The weather held out.. just. Watching the competitors come over the finish line was very exciting, especially to see your own daughter come over, well done Lorna!!!From England (not USA as compere said)

John Cook\Irene Hewings
We went to support our friend Neil Aggitt who did so well to complete the event. Dont know where the scorching weather report came from, it was freezing cold but what a fantastic atmoshpere. Pity the road markings to it were so bad as we had to ask directions numerous times but got there in the end.

Andrew Riley
I was a spectator this year and arrived by bike at Sherbourne Castle at about 6:45 which meant that we saw the end of the swim. The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic even for such an early hour of the day! Each competitor got a round of applause and shouts of encouragement as they left the water, stripped off their wetsuits and sprinted to the bike park. I have a great amount of respect for those that took part but it was the spectators who built up such a brilliant atmosphere that really made it both enjoyable for the crowds as well as full of encouragement for the competitors. "You've really got to feel the Ironman" and the closest you could have got to doing that without entering was being down at Sherbourne Castle to really feel the atmosphere.

Carrol
i thought it did well and my uncle stev done exelent

Zoe Neale
it was such a good day..crew members were so helpfull to all the crowd and i would like to say i am ver proud of My Dad who was in the ironman!!

Lucinda Carveth
I worked at the Ironman Triathlon this year as part of the massage crew. We all watched and supported the competitors before giving them a well deserved post event massage to sooth their aches and pains. It was a fantastic event and I would like to say well done to everyone who took part especially my Personal Trainer Ben Trend who did really well and got a fantastic time. Well done also to all those who volunteered and help to make the event possible. Watching the Ironman this year has been very inspiring and I am looking forward to hopefully having a go myself at the half Ironman next year in Wimbleball.

Lyn walder
What can I say, the day was brilliant, congratulations to all who took part, I am so proud of my son Jeff Chambers who completed in 12hrs 38 mins, also he did the Ironman in N.Z. in March unfortunately it was not a complete triathlon. Best wishes from a very proud mum

dene downton
it was a great day for all as this was my 1st ironman event as a spectater well done to my brother andy for finishing

Giles Bradley
From an admin point of view, road closures always cause frustration especially to unwary visitors from outside the county - a map of the road closures and alternatives (rather than geekie references to C12/C19) would be helpful.

paul archer
i competed in 2005 sherbourne ironman top experience organisation/crowd atmosphere well done sherbourne and thanks

martin &amanda
we went to zurich iron man and the local radio station played up bet music on hill climbs and had brass band playing when riders needed the boost up hart break hill

bernadette
went went to cheer on my boyfriend & what a great experience,well done to all who took part & a very special well done to phil,i was so proud of u.

Lorraine Ayres
Personally I felt that the finish was very disappointing from the spectators point of view. We all wanted to see our husbands, boyfriends, partners, girlfriends etc finish but there was not seating and it was extremely difficult to see them at the end of a very emotional day. Otherwise a fabulous day.

Holly
i went along to cheer on a freind and he did an excellent jod and it was such a great atmosphere. i loved it, i was cheering for everyone who can through the finish line!

Holly
i went along to cheer on a freind and he did an excellent jod and it was such a great atmosphere. i loved it, i was cheering for everyone who can through the finish line!

Richard Walters
I am 14 and i want to take part in the ironman challenge when i am older so that i can raise money for a good cause.

Mark Oakley
Fantastic location and a great atmosphere. The organisers, volunteers and spectators were simply superb. There were hiccups like some of the locations and organisation of the bike aid stations but frankly that was a minor thing when you look at the enormous work required to host one of these events. It was my first Ironman and a baptism of fire on a difficult bike course, but it was a real occasion from start to finish. Mark Oakley Competitor 1142

Janet
I went along to cheer on my son and found myself cheering anyone who participated - well done all. What a fantastic day, great atmosphere and an enormous thank you to all who helped organize this event superb job. Great day.

dot hunt-south africa
my son bronson hunt,did his 1st ironman, he came 90th over all. he was also the 1st south african home in his club.i tracked the event from south africa on the website. i was there last year for the half ironman and loved every minute of it. i will be there next year for sure. i do have to agree with some of the other comments made about no press or tv coverage for such a big event which i am sure is going to grow even bigger. well done to all participants and supporters, you are all winners!

Andy Grubb- competitor
An amazing day, amazing atmosphere and well organised and supported race- well done Dorset!

George McPherson
My mate `metal` Mike Charlton finished in double quick time despite being held together with more screws than B&Q from previous altercations with motor vehicles. He`d have been even quicker if he hadn`t sieze with rust during the swim. All together now - `Please regrease me, make me go....`

Tom Morgan
Proud to have finished my first Ironman in the UK. Superb support from the local people and Rotary - thank you. Very proud to be British - great hospitality, beautiful countryside and the weather didn't end up too bad either!

Alan Hugill - Stockton
On Sunday I became an ironman and it was one of the best moments of my life. The support we received all the way around the course and the organisation was immense. The bike leg was by far the most enjoyable and I will be back to have a longer look at some of those beautiful Dorset and Somerset villages that went by in such a blur. I echo others views that the UK media seem to have missed out on promoting an excellent sporting event. thanks to all involved and well done to all of those who took part.

huw percy
fantastic support along route - thank you all for the encouragement and to the army of race marshall volunteers

Andy Porter number 410
What a fantastic day! The event was a real success and one of the most exiting moments in my life. This was due to the volunteers and the spectators really taking an interest in the sport and competitors. I would like to say a big Thank you to all of them. This was my first ever triathlon and what a result. I will be coming back next year and look forward to chatting to the friendly locals again. The route is very scenic and a place for locals to be proud of. Thank you to the organisers for providing such a great course and a great day.

Robert McCaffrey
The locals were magnificent - I loved the reception I received cycling up the hill into Dorchester High Street, and the Mexican Wave that welcomed us in a tiny village north of sherbourne. The crowds in Sherbourne were brilliant....real lump in the throat stuff! There were some problems with race organisation, but we all hope that the organisers can sort these out for next year, and make Ironman UK a world class race!

Brian Hellin
The event was supported by several hundred volunteers in the main members of Rotary Clubs and their friends in the area. They provided help with Marshalling, Feeding, Car Parking, entertainment and many other aspects, without which the event would not have been possible. This volunteer effort should be recognised

Tim
I'd like to add my voice to those thanking the residents of Dorset and Somerset. They were fantastic supporters. They'd look up the competitor in the programme and cheer him on by name. It means such a lot to have support like that.

Matt Williams, SE London
I like to say a massive thank you to the people of Dorset and Somerset for their tremendous support, both on the course cheering, or manning the aid stations. On a personal level I had trained for over ten months for the Ironman, and the warm welcome made this day all the more special. Once again thank you..

Heather Warncke
I was an athlete on Sunday and this was without a doubt the best race I have ever been a part of. I came all the way from Seattle, WA, US for this race and it was well worth the trip!! The course was amazing and the weather great, but the local crowds made this an event I will never forget and will return to year after year. I felt like a Tour de France racer coming through so many of the towns and villages, as people were so incredibly enthusiastic and cheered like crazy all day. What a special event it was!! Thanks to all who were involved as athletes, race staff, supporters, volunteers, or in any other way!!!

Jayne - Yeovil
My husband and I completed our first Ironman. What a fantastic experience. Thank you to everyone who spectated and a special thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their time. Friends of ours said they watched the local news only to find that the race didn't feature ....but the lawn mower racing in Devon did!!!!!!! What a lot the T.V. companies have to learn about sport, preferably before the 2012 Olympics. UNBELIEVABLE!

Georgia - Yeovil
I'm 13 and i've worked all week at the Ironman event as part of the iron crew, it was hard work but i loved every second of it! Both my mum and dad competed in it, as it was there first Ironman I thought they did very, very well! It was ridiculous that it wasn't in the news or in the papers as it was the very first full Ironman in the country! But thankyou to everybody who came to the event, athletes and spectators. It was incredible and is definetly worth watching next year!

Laura
Unfortunately I didn't get to see the race but was getting constant updates from my Mum on the mobile. I'm so proud of my Dad, as this time last year he was laid up with a broken back after an accident on his bike, he is still not 100% fit but he finished the course on Sunday in 11hrs 46mins. I think he's amazing. Well done.

Martin Spriggs
I completed in this event and the support of the spectators was fantastic they made all the difference. By the end of the bike my voice was horse after thanking them for their support. The volunteers who manned the aid stations (Mostly Rotary club members from the 30 clubs helping out) literally made this event possible. Without them no one would have been able to finish and if was tough for them as well being out in the sun all day and still there in the early hours of the morning. A great that will always stay in my memory. Also spare a thought to the race director, I ended up in the medical tent after finishing next to him. He had collapsed with exhaustion, I hope he feels better soon!

Bobbie Holden-Cousins
I was a spectator this year and will be competing at next years events. A fantastic event, the volunteers 'crew'were great, after staying up till the wee hours to clap the last athlete home I went home with a smile on my face, damp eyes and marvellous memories.....!

leanne
i think it was a fantastic day out n i am soooooo proud of my dad that fineshed it!

Julie Forster
I was a spectator and enjoyed the opportunity to cheer so many excellent athletes. My husband participated and completed the course in under fifteen hours - his first ever triathlon. I was delighted to see so many people on the roadside to encourage all the athletes. The atmosphere at the finish line was tremendous. What I did not see was any national news coverage of this magnificent event. Not one of the daily newspapers covered the event the following day. The event organisers and the mass of volunteers involved in Ironman deserve every thanks and congratulations.

sam, cerne abbas
these guy are incredible - i saw them cycling through cerne abbas and some of them were hardly breaking sweat! well done to all

ben ebdon
I was an athlete in the race. I have to say that the people of Dorset and Somerset were amazing. The support was so special and really gave te athletes a welcome boost whenever we started to flag. Ive done endurance events before, marathona etc, but ive never benefited from such amasing and friendly support... THANK YOU