ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Tyler Tanko of Appleton, Wis., finished first overall in the Rockford Half-Ironman today. Nicole Heininger from Madison, Wis., was the first female finisher in the approximately 70.3-mile race.
Tanko completed the challenging course in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Heininger crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 21 minutes. For both competitors, this marked their first time participating in the Rockford Half-Ironman event.
Tanko, the overall winner from Appleton, Wis., reflected on the intensity of the race and competing against previous winner Cody Williams. “I mean, Cody is a great athlete that I knew was going to be a tough day against him,” Tanko said. He added that he experienced cramping but found “a little bit of a second wind” to push past Williams. Tanko’s family supported him at the finish line…