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Ironman of the day: Haley Chura [The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.]
[September 22, 2014]

Ironman of the day: Haley Chura [The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.]


(Augusta Chronicle (GA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 22--HALEY CHURA AGE: 29 FROM: Atlanta OCCUPATION: Professional Ironman competitor EXPERIENCE: Originally from Montana, Chura found a new home at the University of Georgia because of its swimming program. In Athens, Ga., she swam the backstroke and 400 individual medley for the 2005 national championship squad, while also graduating with an accounting degree.



Working as an auditor, Chura accepted a challenge from her boss to compete in a Half Ironman event. She was so enthralled by the competition she became a professional Ironman competitor in late 2012.

Chura competes in about five to seven Half Ironman and regular Ironman throughout the year, along with some winter local running races. Because she's always training, Chura said she hasn't focused solely on Augusta.


"When you compete as a professional, you don't prepare for a particular race," she said. "It's my lifestyle now. It's taken me to some great places." GAMEPLAN: Chura is making her first appearance in the intermedix Ironman Augusta as a competitor, but she has an advantage over regular athletes. Because she's a professional, Chura will start at the front of the pack. Her goal is to finish in less than four hours and 20 minutes. With her swimming background, she expects to get off to a quick start.

"It's a fast swim. I'll definitely take advantage of that," she said. "It's a fast course. I'll be aggressive." ___ (c)2014 The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, Ga.) Visit The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, Ga.) at chronicle.augusta.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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