1. Chicago's Beth Lakier is all smiles as she fields a good luck phone call from one of her Fleet Feet teammates before embarking on the day-long Ironman adventure.

2. In a mass swim start, nearly 2,000 triathletes took to the water as the sun rose over Madison's Lake Monona.

3. Stevens Point, WI, native Blake Becker transitions to the bike. Becker would go on to finish 38th overall and first in the 18-24 age division in a time of 10:37:51, earning a Hawaii Qualifying slot.

4. Mike Terry, from Gurnee, IL, transitions after an impressive 1:01:31 swim and went on to ride a 5:29:47 bike leg, but unfortunately ended the day with a DNF along with nearly 400 other competitors due in part to the day's heat and humidity.

5. Chicago's Jeanne Tierney won the distinction of being an Iron-woman after she crossed the finish line in 16:08:46.

6. Joel Zucco, from Sleepy Hollow, IL, competed in the race along with his son and local elite triathlete Adam Zucco. Joel finished in a time of 14:50:52, while Adam unfortunately DNF'd.

7. Dean Mabie, from Milwaukee, competed in Ironman Wisconsin last year and decided to give a little back this time around by spurring cyclists up a challenging hill while donning a devil costume and wielding a pitch fork.

8. Out on the bike course Chicago Athlete's Jeremy Borling runs alongside and cheers on Chicagoan John Barrera on a challenging hill, inspiring Barrera en route to his 11:15:57 finishing time, good for 105th overall.

9. Waukesha, WI's Heather Haviland crosses the line to place third among the women in a time of 10:24:21 in only her second Ironman event.

10. Second place female finisher Lauren Jensen, from New Berlin, WI, poses after the race with Ironman legend Paula Newby Fraser.

11. Honoring the day, September 11, Jenny and Dave Laska from Hartland, WI, the lead kayakers for the swim portion, were anxious to see who the top finishers would be.

12. Barry Schliesmann, from Kenilworth, IL, was the top Illinois finisher, placing 67th overall in 10:53:44. After the race, he said the hardest part was fighting through the wind on the bike.

13. Karen Grabowski, from Niles, IL, was pleased with her finish in 11:42:19, ranking her as the top Illinois woman. Next up for Grabowski is the Hawaii Ironman in October.

14. Raymond Britt, from Winnetka, IL, finished in a time of 11:38:51 and is escorted through the finish area by two volunteers. In addition to the athletes, there were thousands of volunteers who were the un-sung heroes of the day.

For race results, click here and for final race coverage visit, www.chicagoaa.com/news/ironmanWI05fin al.html