Patrick Thornberry

I have always been somewhat of a runner after doing my first half marathon when I was 11, but I had never even considered triathlons until I was 22. On a whim, I decided to sign up for a three-race sprint series in 2009 and after the first race I knew I was going be doing a lot more than sprints. After spending my first season doing sprints and one olympic triathlon, I switched my focus to the 70.3 distance. In 2010 I completed my first Half Ironman and have since raced in four more, setting a PR of 4:36. In the 2011 season, I focused on the 140.6 distance and completed IM Coeur d’Alene.

This year I have several specific goals. First is to finish under 3:00 at the Carmel Marathon in April. But more importantly, I hope to bring my Half Ironman time below 4:15 and my Full Ironman time below 10 hours. Both of these are aiming at the ultimate goal of qualifying for both the Vegas and Kona World Championships in 2012. In the even longer term, I am working towards earning an elite card by 2014.

Outside of triathlons, I am a third-year law student and will spend much of this year preparing to start my career as a lawyer in Indianapolis. I also plan to join my brother in volunteering at Back on My Feet Indianapolis, a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

Athletic Achievements

Ironman

  • Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene – 2011

Ironman 70.3

  • Whirlpool Ironman 70.3 Steelhead – 2010
  • ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta – 2010
    • Set 70.3 PR of 4:36:03
  • Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans – 2011
  • Ironman 70.3 Muncie – 2011
  • Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka – 2011
    • 5th Place Age Group Award

Running

  • Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini-Marathon – 2011 (Set PR of 1:20:49)
  • Indianapolis Monumental Marathon – 2010
    • Finish Time: 3:09:49
    • Boston Qualifying Time (also my first full marathon)

Local Race Highlights

  • Kiwanis 5k Run – 2010 (1st Overall)
  • Fort Myers Beach 5k – 2011 (4th Overall)
  • Cicero Triathlon – 2011 (12th Overall)
  • ISC Corporate Challenge 5 Mile Run – 2011 (6th Overall)
  • Powerman Muncie Olympic Triathlon – 2011 (7th Overall)

2012 Scheduled Races

  • Carmel Marathon (4/21/12)
  • Geist Half Marathon (5/19/12)
  • Leon's World's Fastest Triathlon - Olympic (6/3/12)
  • Morse Sprint Triathlon (6/30/12)
  • IM Muncie 70.3 (7/7/12)
  • Cicero Sprint Triathlon (8/4/12)
  • IM Steelhead 70.3 (8/19/12)
  • Back On My Feet 42k Relay (2 person team with Chris/Patrick Thornberry) (10/13/12)
  • IM Arizona (11/18/12)