On October 22nd, 2023, Tim and Patrick crossed the finish line of Ironman California!

Click the button below to for the ABC 15 news coverage of Team Patrick's success, and read on for the full story of their friendship, physical challenges, and the power of never giving up!

Patrick & Tim's Ironman Journey - 140.6 miles 2Gether!

Initially in 2015, Patrick & Tim entered the full Ironman distance race, 140.6 miles. They finished the 1.2 mile swim in 1hr 15min, then rode the 112 mile bike course to mile 78, where they had some mechanical issues in addition to some major concerns about the safety of the course for their equipment. They cut the bike course short at that point, but still headed out on the run. They ran the 13.1 miles to officially earn the Half Ironman finisher's medal. It wouldn't be until September 2022 in Wisconson when they'd have opportunity to compete in another full Ironman.

Patrick Utitus-Canez and Tim Bolen met back in 2012 while Tim served as the State Director of Best Buddies Arizona. Patrick became involved with Team Best Buddies Running Program that Tim created in 2011. Patrick was the 2nd runner on the team from its inception. He's been enthusiastic about running and racing ever since!

Patrick has competed in countless 5k races to marathons. His presence, smile, and enthusiasm is contagious. In January 2015, Tim asked Patrick if he would be interested in trying to race in an Ironman distance event. With instantaneous excitement, Patrick exclaimed, "YES!" From that day forward, the legend -Patrick- was born.

TIM'S CANCER JOURNEY

On January 10th, 2020, Tim was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Tim said, the instant you hear these words: "You have cancer", it changes you. From aggressive chemo treatments for 6-8 weeks and then one treatment every 6-8 weeks for the past 2.5 years, it can test your will. It can either break you or it can inspire you to fight even harder. Tim chose -and still chooses- to face his fight head on, and he's never sacrificed his running or cycling even when he felt at his absolute worst. For Tim, the running represents his fight. When he's not able to run, he feels he's not doing all he can to battle the ugly beast.

THE DECISIONS

Why Ironman California in 2023? After a very disappointing day at Ironman Wisconsin in 2022 due to torrential rains and very cold temperatures, Tim & Patrick were forced to drop from the bike portion. Needless to say, they were crushed. However, a week later, Ironman World Corp (IWC) called Tim and offered Team Patrick a spot into Ironman Tulsa in May 2023. IWC were quoted as saying, "Tim & Patrick HAVE TO fulfill this goal and IWC is determined to see them do exactly that." How incredible!

The greatest concern for Tim is time- and where he is with his current fitness, weight, and health. The good news about Tim's Lymphoma is that the treatments are working. Tim's cancerous Slow B-Cell and Aggressive B-Cells have decreased so much that Tim hasn't needed as many treatments. The bad news about this type of Lymphoma is their is no cure. He can only manage it until a cure is found or until the ugly beast decides to be uglier.

THE STRUGGLE IN WISCONSON IRONMAN

With the cancer and all the treatments over the past 3.5 years, it has been very difficult for Tim to keep his weight and muscle on. The greatest challenge is Tim's strength that's been lost, and the increased fatigue. He was -and is- limited to the time he can train due to the fatigue. The opportunity for redemption at Ironman Tulsa did not come to fruition as that course had hill after hill after hill (nearly 5000 feet of climbing), so making the bike cutoff -especially after Team Patrick was told they would be the last competitors to start the race- had certainly been the largest concern on race day. And unfortunately, it was a race against the clock that was brought to an abrupt halt.

IRONMAN TULSA

No doubt the May 2023 Ironman Tulsa was a beautiful race. They finished the swim in 1:20 and then had a fantastic bike for over 80 miles. With one more long hard climb left, making the next bike cutoff at mile 95 wasn't possible. The sweep vehicle eventually caught up with them and their race was over with 87 of forward progress and over 4000ft of climbing.

That said, the journey wasn't finished. Their hearts and minds were determined to complete a full Ironman, all 140.6 miles, 2Gether: a dream 8 years in the making.

REDEMPTION IN CALIFORNIA

Success!!! Team Patrick crossed the finish line in 15hrs 48 min! Despite the unexpected downpours multiple times throughout the day and flooding on the run course, they perservered! What an amazing moment they savored together walking down the finish chute and crossing that finish line! In Tim's own words: "We did it Patrick. 2Gether we are Ironman! A dream fulfilled! But it wasn't done alone! Truly grateful!"

HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

2Gether We Live strives to never have expenses for its families and athletes that participate in the racing program. Statistics show that having an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be costly, resulting mostly in a one-parent household income and where most fall in the low-income status. For this reason, 2Gether We Live has always covered any expenses related to the running and racing program.

Words cannot express how grateful we are for those of you who donated to Team Patrick! A special thank you to Walter Clarke who once again was our top donor and who personally had our tandem bike custom made. Also many thanks to all supporters, near and far, who belived in the mission and have followed this incredible journey!

The Ironman Journey & The Urgency

Photos from Ironman California

Tim and Patrick through the years:

Click on any photo below to see more from Ironman Wisconson Sep 2022 and Tusla May 2023: