Ironman down

Maneuvering around kids and work schedules, Mary Ben Fitts and Jimmy Harrison completed the Ironman Triathlon in Panama City Beach this fall after training together in Homewood. The event entails a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a marathon (26.2 miles).

“A year ago, I never would have thought it was possible to commit the time and training necessary around work and kids’ schedules,” Harrison said. “Once I registered, I had to make it work. ”

Both athletes are longtime marathon runners and completed their first half Ironman in 2008.

“We are both blessed to have very supportive spouses and families who were excited about our participation in the event and were our cheering section, as well as many friends and the incredible Vulcan Tri group of which we are both members,” Fitts said. “The most rewarding part for me as a mom was to see the excitement in my children and their friends and hear them say, ‘Wow!  I want to do that one day!’”

Harrison is married to Lisa, also a marathoner, and father of Emily (HHS senior), Mary Elizabeth (HMS eighth grader) and Reed (Edgewood fifth grader).

Fitts is married to Tom and is mother of Jacob (HHS freshman), Judson  (Shades Cahaba fifth grader) and Katharine (Shades Cahaba first grader).