Firelands Health shows up in full force for Ironman

SANDUSKY — It was hard not to notice all the red T-shirts near the finish line of the Sandusky Ironman 70.3. Firelands Health employees and others from the community served as medical volunteers, making sure runners who needed aid got it. Dr. Matthew Widmer, the group's lead physician who works with the Firelands Physicians Group, practices family medicine and sports medicine. He said it's rare, but a few competitors have had to go to the emergency room at the hospital. "The first year we had a clavicle fracture and a shoulder injury," Widmer said. "Last year we didn't have too many bike injuries, which was good. "In the swim and the bike we'll see some cuts and scrapes and some road rash if they crash on the bike. Occasionally some hand and wrist injuries. In the running we get more severe cramping and dehydration sets in." Dru Meredith, Vice President of Operations, Marketing & Strategic Planning for Firelands Health, said about 40 volunteers were on hand in the morning and early afternoon, with 30 more on duty later in the day. Ironman reached out to the hospital when the event came to Sandusky in 2022 to help coordinate the medical tent. "This fits with our mission — wellness and a healthy community," Meredith said. "What they put their bodies through is pretty inspiring." Nikki Murphy, a physical education teacher at Bellevue Elementary, was recruited by a friend who works at Firelands. "We just help with cool-down, ice packs, just kind of helping them into a chair or the tent if they need care," Murphy said. National anthem St. Mary Central Catholic teacher Steve Kohler sang a strong version of the Star-Spangled Banner moments before Ironman 70.3 competitors jumped off the Carlee Emily ferry boat to start the race. He said he's sang the national anthem hundreds of times, but always has the fear of forgetting the words. "It's a song that should be sung respectfully and that's how I try to do it," he said. "My biggest fear is somehow forgetting the words. Even though I've done it hundreds of time I'm always rehearsing the words in my head. So far it's been good." Kohler has performed the anthem at Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye games, as well as Bowling Green State University hockey games. He's scheduled to perform at the Mud Hens game Tuesday. "My goal is to sing at a Detroit Tigers game," he said. "I'm a big Tigers fan. I keep doing it to audition for them." Kohler said he didn't see the botched anthem by Ingrid Andress prior to the MLB Home Run Derby last week. "I didn't see that live but I got so many text messages: 'You should have done the Home Run Derby,' " Kohler said. "She admitted she had a problem so God bless her for dealing with it." Block party The south side of Market Street just east of downtown served as a block party and watering station for competitors on the 13.1-mile running course. "It started becoming a party," said Warrenette Parthemore, who was sitting in her front yard with a group of friends. "We watch people go by and enjoy the company. Everyone gets into it." Warrenette's son Chris swam a leg on a relay Sunday morning. Her daughter Christine Parthemore volunteered for the third straight year and was a swim safety kayaker. The Parthemores, and many others on the running course, aimed their lawn sprinkler at the street. Many runners thanked them for the liquid relief. "Some of the more elite runners go around it," Warrenette said. "But some will come over and let it spray their faces. They're trying to get a whole-body cool-off." Decorations, signs Plenty of spectators lined the streets of Sandusky to show their support for the Ironman 70.3 competitors. There were signs, including one that read: Kick Some Asphalt. On East Market Street, Sharon K. Balduff decorated her car with an American flag and signs to support some runners. "I decorated to show my support," she said. Balduff, who lives in the nearby Winery apartments, volunteered the first two years of the event. "This year I didn't volunteer because I was supposed to be in Wisconsin helping my nephew's family, but that didn't happen so I thought I'd decorate my car again," she said.