Vineman Ironman underway

Cheering fans provided a boost to athletes striding onto the Windsor High School athletic fields Sunday during the Vineman Ironman 70.3 triathlon.

Rosie Alegre anxiously awaited sight of husband Hector Alegre, one of a group of competitors from Guadalajara, Mexico. Alegre was so excited she reached out and unsnapped one athlete’s bike helmet while they jogged into an area where they leave bikes and set out on a half marathon run.

“That was fun. I helped someone,” she said.

Camcorder at the ready, Alegre resumed her post along the chute area leading to the athletic fields. She wasn’t going to miss chronicling her husband’s second triathlon and first in the United States.

“He says you’re always nervous, but you’re never afraid,” she said. “He was more comfortable than the first time.”

The contingent from Guadalajara picked the Vineman because of the chance to visit San Francisco, but also given the wine country setting.

“They said it was very nice because of the vineyards,” she said.

The setting can take some of the pain out of the grueling event.

The 18th Vineman Ironman 70.3 features a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run.

Beginning with the swim at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville, Vineman competitors then ride bikes on a course covering River, Westside and Dry Creek roads. The run begins and finishes at Windsor High School.

Dozens of volunteers in blue T-shirts were busy assisting competitors and helping organizers at the high school.

Jacob Faircloth was in the transition area directing bikers to changing stations.

“From bike to feet, that’s what I call it,” he said. “We look for disoriented people. If they need help or fall over, we need to be there for them.”

But mostly, Faircloth and the other volunteers were cheerleaders to athletes squeezing every bit of energy out of their bodies.

“Keep it up, come on, come on,” he said. “Alright, good job, good job.”