TEMPE, Ariz. — It's a race where anything is possible and Sunday, two Valley men who developed a special friendship while training will take on Ironman California.
Ironman is a triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run.
Arizona's "Team Patrick" is made up of Patrick Canez from Gilbert and his running partner, Timothy Bolen, from Tempe. They’re both part of 2Gether We Live, an organization in Tempe where Bolen is the founder.
Despite challenges with cancer, cerebral palsy, and limited mobility, they’re not stopping.
“This will be our third Ironman attempt to get to the finish, and we have no doubt we’re going to do it,” he said.
The pairing was inspired by a program called Best Buddies, as they both share the same mission - helping people with intellectual or physical disabilities live their best lives.
“We needed the equality and inclusion aspect,” said Bolen.
The team has been surrounded by supporters, including Canez's family members and other team members, as they have prepared for the race.
“Lots of training and lots of logistics,” Bolen said.
That training included overcoming physical challenges, like limited mobility.
“Patrick has cerebral palsy, so he has a fully functioning brain and he also has the desire to compete and cross the Ironman finish line, right? That’s right,” said Bolen.
Bolen was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma in 2020.
“With anybody who gets a cancer diagnosis, it’s a whirlwind of panic-stricken fear and I was able to luckily work through that fairly quickly,” he said.
Despite the challenges, their love for the triathlon and fitness are common denominators.
“Amen to that… even through chemo and all the treatments and feeling sick, it is literally the running and the riding that makes me feel like that’s my fight back with this whole thing,” said Bolen.
In this Ironman journey, Bolen will pull Canez in a raft for 2.4 miles, then push him on a specialized tandem bike, which is made to carry Patrick for 112 miles. For the full 26.2-mile marathon run, they will use a specialized running chair, all while trying to complete 140.6 miles total in under the 17-hour race cutoff time.
“We’ll probably be using all 17 hours… hopefully 16 hours,” said Bolen. “I’ve already been in tears like multiple times just envisioning it and seeing that happen.”
Together, they’re ready to chase the Ironman dream and are both thankful for their amazing supporters.
“I’m super grateful for that,” Bolen said.
"Team Patrick" will wake up when it’s dark and early Sunday morning so they have plenty of time to get to the starting line by 4:30 a.m.
From all of us here at 12 News, congratulations and best of luck in Ironman California!
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