Ironman legend to be honored at Canada
By Nicole Winn
Aug. 20, 2007 -- Louie Bonpua is remembered by many for his strength, dedication and above all his endearing spirit. Louie had two goals when he set out to participate in Ironman Canada; he wanted to finish what some consider a grueling test of training and endurance and also to beat cancer. He only succeeded at one of his goals. With just minutes to spare, just before the stroke of midnight, Louie crossed the finish line and became an Ironman. The following day, he received the prestigious Iron Spirit Award for his strength and determination.
He was also presented with a unique gift – a special Cervelo bicycle frame. Just months after completing Ironman Canada, Louie inspired many by carrying the Olympic torch in San Francisco. Shortly thereafter, he succumbed to leukemia at age 37. His legacy lives on in his teammates and he will be honored at the 25th Anniversary of Ironman Canada on August 26, 2007. Oakland resident, Alex Catapusan, who received the Iron Spirit Award in 2005 after finally completing the event after two previous attempts, will return to Canada this year, this time riding Louie’s Cervelo bicycle in honor of the teammate who inspired him to keep trying.
Both Louie and Alex were a part of Team In Training’s IronTeam program. Team In Training (TNT) is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s signature fundraising program that trains individuals of all athletic abilities to complete an endurance event. In return for their training, participants raise vital funds for blood cancer research and patient services. IronTeam participants train for nearly a year and raise more than $8000 each for the Society. Alex and Louie’s dedication to help find a cure for cancer and their perseverance through difficulties while training earned each of them the Iron Spirit Award, a prestigious annual award given by the Ironman Canada organizers to just one finisher.
Competing in an Ironman triathlon is one of the most physically challenging activities that an individual can undertake. The seventeen-hour event takes place over the course of one day and consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bicycle ride and then a 26.2 mile (marathon length) run. TNT IronTeam participants train six days a week for nine to ten months with personalized coaching and a supportive team environment. For many it is a life changing event.
For Louie Bonpua, training for Ironman Canada was not only a test of his mental and physical strength, but also a victory over cancer. A program manager for Cadence Design Systems, Louie was diagnosed in 1997 with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Within a year, he lost 58 pounds and the progression of his illness warranted a bone marrow transplant. But finding a match was difficult due to the National Marrow Registry’s limited number of Asian American donors. Louie started taking Gleevec in the interim. As his white blood cell count leveled out, Louie grew stronger and began to volunteer with the Society as a Team In Training honored patient and was soon out on the track training for his own triathlon.
This year as Alex sets out on the Cervelo bicycle frame awarded to Louie, the Ironman community will watch in awe. The bicycle frame originally built to accommodate Louie’s small frame, was built-up by Coach Wayne Spaulding at local BreakAway Performance to fit Alex. It will be a great accomplishment and honor for Alex to complete the event on Louie’s bicycle.
How to Sign Up
Teams are forming now for our next season of Team In Training. Participants train in three-to-six-month training periods for each race with the help of professional coaches, support clinics and experienced staff. Upcoming events include Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon, Los Angeles Marathon, P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Half Marathon, Rome Marathon, Solvang Century, Tour of Anchorage Cross-Country Ski Marathon, Tahoe Gold Rush Cross-Country Ski Marathon, Ironman Canada, Ironman USA and many more! To learn more about Team In Training, call 800-482-TEAM or visit www.TeamInTraining.org.