Members of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) from Browns Ferry, Watts Bar and Sequoyah supported the 2015 Ironman triathlon in Chattanooga on September 27 by volunteering at a runners’ aide station.
The group provided water to passing runners at their station located on the Tennessee River. The race consists of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile (42.2 km) run, raced in that order and without a break. Triathlons are widely considered to be among the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.
The NAYGN volunteers cheered on TVA employee Jay Bovell, a Browns Ferry Engineer in the Electrical Design Group, who participated and successfully completed the race. Bovell trained for the event for more than a year and finished the race in 15 hours, 40 minutes and 41 seconds.
“It was a humbling experience, and it made for a pretty long day,” said Bovell. “The biking is probably my favorite part of the race.”
This was Bovell’s first Ironman triathlon, and he isn’t planning on running another one any time soon.
“I probably won’t run another one for four to five years, but it was amazing to see TVA and NAYGN supporting me in the race,” he said. “That’s what makes Ironman special – the volunteers and spectators.”
NAYGN Volunteers (Left to Right): Brandon Boyd (SQN, TVA volunteer lead), Marty Swafford (SQN), Toshawnka Walker (BFN), Mimi King (BFN) and Ryan Lisa (WBN). Below: Jay Bovell, BFN engineer, participated in the Ironman triathlon.
