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<br /> <br />COUNTY OF HAWAII <br /> <br />STATE OF HAWAII <br /> <br />RESOLUTION NO. 3 2 2 -1 8 <br /> <br />A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THEIRONMAN TRIATHLON <br />WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES <br />ON ITS SUCCESS <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship ("Ironman"), consisting of a 2.4-mile <br />ocean swim, a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile marathon run, will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in <br />Kailua, Kona on October 3, 1998; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in 1978, the Ironman began on O'ahu as a challenge among IS competitors, including <br />Navy Captain John Collins, who was instrumental in organizing the initial triathlon and is a continuing <br />presence at the event; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in 1980, the lronman was first filmed and televised by ABC Sports, providing national <br />coverage and increased interest; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in 1981, under the vision and leadership of Valerie Silk, the Ironman was moved from <br />Q'ahu to the beautiful Kona Coast, and, through her tireless efforts and commitment, the event grew in <br />international stature; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in 1982,. as a direct result of the inspiring television coverage of Julie Moss' dramatic <br />and courageous finish line efforts, seen by millions around the world, the Ironman reached a new turning <br />point; and <br /> <br />. WHEREAS, with the overwhelming international interest, Ironman qualifYing races have been <br />established around the world, bringing 1,500 athletes and many more family members and friends to Kona <br />each year; and <br /> <br />, <br />WHEREAS, the lronman has won 7 Emmy awards and 4 International Monitor Awards for its <br />television productions, providing dramatic visuals and inspirational stories of human triumph; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, over SO million viewers in 100 countries annually now watch the Ironman broadcast <br />on television; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, more than 7,000 residents of the Big Island, many returning year after year, have <br />consistt!ntly demonstrated their dedication and commitment to the Ironman by volunteering their personal <br />time and services to stage the event; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the Ironman and its related activities have resulted in significant economic benefits to <br />the State and County of Hawai'i, generating more than $5 million in local sales in the last year alone; and <br />