UNLEASH YOUR INNER CHAMPION

Your Journey. Your Triumph. Your Life.


IM TRI Transforms the lives of individuals in our communities by removing participation barriers for the IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities.

Meet the 2025 IM TRI Athletes

Maricela Vargas: Overcoming Limitations to Achieve the Impossible.

Maricela Vargas path to the IRONMAN® 70.3® represents a journey of breaking through childhood limitations to discover her full potential as an athlete.

“I'm beyond excited to be selected for the IM TRI Program! From a child with limited access to sports due to financial constraints to now being presented with this remarkable opportunity is something I couldn’t imagine just a few years ago.”

After recently completing her first marathon, Vargas is eager to push her boundaries even further. The scholarship provides her with the resources to confront her biggest fear - swimming in open water - while discovering what else she can overcome.

“It highlights the commitment and effort I’ve dedicated to my health and fitness this past year,” she notes. “I'm ready to confront my biggest fear of swimming in open water and discover what else I can overcome. With hard work, determination, and God's grace, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to!”

Michael Mckinney: From Addiction to Human-Powered Endurance

For Michael McKinney, THE IRONMAN® 70.3® journey represents the next chapter in a remarkable personal transformation. After finding sobriety in 2016, he discovered a new passion that would change his life trajectory.

“Being selected for the IM TRI program is the next chapter in my transformation journey. I found sobriety in 2016 and soon after discovered I could be my own engine. This challenge represents everything I’ve worked toward.”

Once a competitive car and dirt bike racer, McKinney made the difficult decision to step away from motorsports to focus on his growing family and personal development. In recent years he turned to CrossFit and endurance training, using fitness as both a discipline and a source of renewal. “As a local business owner and father of twins, my schedule is demanding, but this race is exactly the goal I need to continue growing stronger, both for myself and my family.”

Highlights

Through generous community support, IM TRI turns your IRONMAN 70.3 dream into reality.

CBRC Testing

Maricela receives PNOE metabolic and VO2 testing at CBRC as part of her performance assessment.

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CBRC Training

Mike works with a CBRC personal trainer on strength training to support his Ironman prep.

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Jen Comfort Coaching

Jen Comfort, swim coach, trains Maricela in the pool before transitioning to open water in the Columbia River.

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Runners Soul

Mike gets fitted for running shoes at Runners Soul, gearing up for the miles ahead.

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Augment Wellness

Maricela enjoys some athletic recovery at Augment Wellness.

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Scholarship and Training Packages Include:

CBRC Health & Fitness

  • 6 month single membership
  • 3x/week one hour personal trainer
  • 1.5 months of Try a Tri training
  • PNOE Metabolic and VO2 Testing

Augment Wellness Recovery

  • Full membership for 6 months

Runners Soul

  • 1 pair of running shoes up to $150

Jen Comfort Coaching – Swim coaching and Open Water Group

  • 5 lessons per athlete and Open Water Wednesday Swim Group for 4 months (weather dependent)
Visit Tri-Cities IRONMAN Registration
  • Registration /Race Entry to IRONMAN 70.3 Washington, Tri-Cities Marketing, Publicity, Social Media, Media Outreach

Who Can Apply?

The IM TRI Scholarship is open to individuals who are ready to take on the challenge of IRONMAN® 70.3® Washington Tri-Cities and share their journey in a meaningful way. Applicants must:

  • Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the Tri-Cities area.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Demonstrate a financial or personal need that makes participation otherwise out of reach.
  • Not have previously participated in a full IRONMAN® or IRONMAN® 70.3® event (relay team participation excluded).
  • Commit to following a training schedule and completing IRONMAN® 70.3® Washington Tri-Cities in 2026.

Thoughtfully describe a hardship you hope to overcome and explain why this scholarship would be life-changing for you.
We are looking for applicants who can tell us their story. Share why this opportunity matters, what challenges you face, and how you believe training for and completing an IRONMAN® race will transform their life. The more detail you share, the stronger your application will be.

Transform your life. Achieve your dream. Become a champion with IM TRI.

Empowering Local Athletes. Transforming Lives.

Stepping into the IRONMAN world can be intimidating, and for first-time hopefuls preparing to participate can be daunting. By removing obstacles to participation, the IM TRI program from Visit Tri-Cities gives local individuals the opportunity to conquer the IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities and, in the process, transform their lives.

Each year, with generous support from community partners, the IM TRI program awards two deserving individuals with a scholarship and training package valued at $9,650 each. This package provides support for gear, coaching, nutrition, and other essentials, helping participants focus on the challenge ahead.

Everyone has the potential to be a champion – no matter where they start.

IM TRI offers a pathway to health, wellness, and personal achievement. We are committed to fostering participation from athletes of all backgrounds – regardless of race, gender, physical or mental ability, or socioeconomic status. Together, we create a thriving community and fuel transformational growth.

Apply to Become an IM TRI Athlete

How would participating in IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities help you overcome a personal challenge or hardship? Share your IM TRI story with us in a way that helps us understand your journey, your determination, and why this scholarship could make a lasting difference in your life. Your answer should be a minimum of 300 words and no more than 750 words.

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