‘A bit of a homecoming’: Penn State shines in 1st Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley

On Sunday, participants took to the water, their bikes and the road in Happy Valley’s first-ever Ironman 70.3. Spectators, volunteers, business owners and participants alike expressed enthusiasm about this year’s race — and for next year’s return.

Penn State alumnus Matthew Guenter came in first place overall, with a finishing time of 4:19:30. Caroline Moyer of Malvern was the first female finisher, with a time of 5:00:55.

After posing for a few pictures on the finish line on the field at Beaver Stadium, Guenter shouted “We are!” and struck up the classic Penn State rallying cry. Characterizing the race as “a bit of a homecoming,” Guenter shared how he had become a triathlete at Penn State, and even served as vice president of Club Triathlon. Guenter graduated from Penn State in 2019, and now lives in Boulder, Colorado.

“I wanted to win this as soon as it got announced,” he said.

The race course began with the swimming leg in Bald Eagle State Park, then biking down to State College and a running loop on Penn State’s campus that ended on the stadium’s 50-yard line.

Marie and Bob Walter drove from Ohio to support their son Rob, who was competing in his 18th Ironman race. All three of them are Penn State graduates — and Rob convinced his friend and fellow alumnus, Doug Farren, to race with him. Farren played football at Penn State.

“After he found out that they finished (the race) in Beaver Stadium, he just had to!” Marie said.

Elise Fiore of Connecticut was there to support her husband, Vincent, who was competing. “He was born and raised in State College,” she said. “So he wanted to come back for this.”

Even the on and off rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the onlookers, who encouraged competitors with cheers, claps, screams and high-fives. One woman held a sign that read “Run if you think I’m hot” at the beginning of the running portion of the race.

Pia Calle was there with her 6-month old son Sebastian to support her husband, Juan, who ended up finishing the race in fourth place overall. “This is his second race since (Sebastian) was born,” she said.

Juan fist-bumped Sebastian just as he began the final leg of the race, and the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers and cries of “Cute!”

More than 2,000 athletes from the ages of 18-77, hailing from 43 U.S. states and 15 countries, regions and territories, competed in the race, according to a statement from organizers.

“My whole cycling team is volunteering!” said Kathy Bradley, a member of State College Cycling who volunteered at the second transition station. She worked at the exit, trying to make sure none of the participants began the run without their bibs.

Randy Meister of Boalsburg was volunteering at the end of the race course, after the finish line. “It’s a great event in a great venue,” he said, gesturing at Beaver Stadium around him.

Kui Kanthatham stood beside the beginning of the running leg of the race, ringing an Ironman-branded cowbell and cheering. He came from California to support his friends who were competing — “but I’ve only been able to spot one of them so far!” he said.

Ironman has a three-year contract for races in Happy Valley. State College Mayor Ezra Nanes, who participated in the race, said he was excited that the event “allows a lot more people to get to know our area, which will drive, you know, economic activity in the form of tourism.”

“It’s just a very beautiful place to be,” Nanes added. “So I’m excited for people to get to know everything that we have.”

On race day, the Ironman village was set up beside Beaver Stadium and featured several local vendors — including Rothrock Coffee.

“It’s a real community feel,” said Kerry Bestwick, who was working the booth. (Jamie, her husband, is a co-owner of Rothrock Coffee.) Rothrock Coffee provided free coffees to volunteers and participants who had to arrive at 4 a.m. to make it to Bald Eagle State Park in Howard for the beginning of the race.

But Bestwick added that organizers had struggled to find vendors to work the event. “I think State College is missing a market as a community,” she said. “State College is central! People should want to hold events here.”

Greg Scott, president and CEO of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, said the Ironman was likely to have a positive impact on communities and businesses in Happy Valley.

“The Ironman is bringing in nearly 6,000 people who will be in our area for a couple of days, so I think it’s going to have a tremendous positive impact on some of our local businesses,” he said.

“I have not heard anything negative about the event,” he added.