This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Familiar Names Lead in Ironman

The beer-drinking race takes over the beach again this Fourth of July—Chris Brown and Patrick Sweeney are well-known locals who made it through the challenge in top speeds.

Fourth of July festivities in Hermosa Beach began bright and early for more than 450 people at the 37th annual Ironman competition.  

The kicked off around 10 a.m. Monday on the beach in north Hermosa. 

While not an official event, and marred by controversy that takes place on the beach, the Ironman has endured for more than three decades.  

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This year’s edition showed no signs the event is slowing down as 100 more competitors took part in the race than last year as a large number of onlookers gathered to watch the competing athletes run a mile, paddle a surfboard one mile and then finish the race by chugging a six-pack of beer.   

Competitors who are unable to keep down the beer are automatically disqualified.  

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Many succumb to the physiological reaction that involves intense exercise followed by heavy drinking—the spewing of beer by ill participants has become the main spectacle of the contest for both participants and the crowd. 

Former Hermosa Beach Mayor Bob “Burgie” Benz founded the event in 1978 and picked 29th street as the epicenter of the chaos.   

Winners

Manhattan Beach resident Chris Brown, a perennial favorite in the event with several wins to his credit, tied for the crown with South Bay local Chris Smith in the men’s division. Both racers completed the entire event in 19 minutes. 

Patrick Sweeney of showed that he’s no slouch in the shorter events, finishing in third place (only a minute behind Brown and Smith.)

In the women’s division, Hermosa Beach resident Annie Seawright Newton, last year’s champion, was bested by Andrea Bates.  

Bates time of 22 minutes was enough to edge Seawright Newton who stopped the clock at 23 minutes.

All event participants paid race fees of $20. All proceeds collected from the fees are donated to charity in the names of both the men’s and women’s winners. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Hermosa Beach