Morgan's Ironman World Championship Race in Kona

Hi, my name is Morgan, and I am a local triathlete in the Quad Cities. After being a marathon runner for 12 years, I decided to try my hand at the iron distance triathlon, specifically Ironmans. The iron distance triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. In 2022, I completed my first one and was hooked! In 2023, I decided to dream big and try to qualify for the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. That dream came true in May at Ironman Tulsa. I was encouraged to create this fundraiser from friends. This fundraiser would help cover flights, lodging, and the entry fee. This journey would not be possible without the support of my friends, family, and boyfriend Aaron. No amount is too small - every little bit is appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

5% of the total funds will go to the 3D Breast Cancer Screening Fund at The Trinity Health Foundation in honor of my mom who had breast cancer twice.

If Venmo is easier: @Morgan-Meseke

A little bit about me:

I was a runner by trade until recently. I have been teaching a 90 minute class called BRIC at the Y of Iowa Mississippi Valley for nine years. BRIC is an acronym for Bike Run Interval Class. This class is designed for triathletes to train throughout the winter. I was not a triathlete, but I really enjoyed teaching that class. Finally, after six years of teaching BRIC, I decided to try my first sprint distance triathlon. While it did not go according to plan, I had a lot of fun. Two years later, I did my first olympic distance triathlon. That race was a complete disaster, and I almost gave up on triathlons. When Ironman announced that Des Moines would host a full iron distance triathlon in 2022, I decided to give it one last go. My first Ironman was a success, and I was excited to try to improve my time on the next one.

I tend to think 'If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough'. To be able to qualify for the Ironman World Championship is one of the biggest accomplishments anyone can achieve. It became my dream because I wanted to be the best I could be, and I knew it was not impossible. To compete on the world's biggest stage for triathlon is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I made it my goal to qualify. I enjoy pushing my body to the absolute limit and the Ironman is the one of the best events to test that.

I am not able to afford a coach but with the help of friends, training partners, and local resources such as the Y, I was able to succeed. This community in the Quad Cities has a handful of clubs and groups that help athletes improve and push one another. I feel extremely grateful to live in a place where weekly runs and bike rides are not hard to find. I am blessed to live and train in an inclusive community that supports athletes of all abilities.