PLATTSBURGH — Clinton County Legislator Robert Heins finished 12th in his age category in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii on Oct. 10.
Heins, a Plattsburgh dentist, finished the grueling course in 15 hours and 30 minutes in difficult conditions.
The race features a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run.
Temperatures were around 95 degrees during the race and contestants had to deal with a 35-mph headwind for much of the bike leg.
Heins, 70, said staying properly hydrated was a problem and his feet were so swollen after the bike leg he had to ice them down in order to get his running shoes on.
"It was real tough. A lot of guys didn't finish," Heins said.
Heins finished 12th out of 25 in the 70-74 age category.
A veteran of several triathlons, Heins will compete in Arizona next month.
