Community Corner

Laura DeMeo's Seventh Iron Man Triathlon Drives In The Donations

DeMeo has partnered with Showerman of Manalapan to raise money for charity as she trains for Iron Man.

Laure DeMeo of Brielle has been competing in triathlons for 10 years. She has traveled to seven Iron Man competitions, including Hawaii.

When DeMeo found out New York City would hold its first Iron Man triathlon, she couldn't pass up an opportunity to compete in her own backyard.

"This is just a lifestyle of mine," she said.

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DeMeo is a social media management professional, specializing in internet marketing and SEO training for businesses. Athletic competitions are simply another part of her life, and she has competed in every race without a coach. Just a nutrition plan, and determination.

She found out just a few weeks ago that spots had opened up in the race, which had filled up in 5 minutes.

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"This year I wasn't planning on racing at all," she said. "But I felt like I was in really good shape."

The Brielle athlete recently ran a half marathon which she said she trained very little for, and she ended up coming in sixth in her age group.

A full Iron Man triathlon means a 2.4 mile swim in the Hudson River, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26 mile run.

And this time around, she decided she would compete to raise money for charity.

"I thought I would coordinate with Showerman, and build their logo while raising money for a few charities."

is a custom frameless shower door store in Manalapan, with a squeaky clean superhero as its logo.

"It's a super hero type thing she is doing," Mark Balaban, President of Showerman said. "It's something that, out of billions of people, only a few people are capable of."

DeMeo is competing to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation, Kick Cancer Overboard and the I Will Foundation.

"It's such a grueling race, the mental aspect is a huge portion," DeMeo said. "I'd like to do it in my own backyard, and I'd like to do it for a cause."

DeMeo will be live streaming her race on Aug. 11. Details about the race and how to donate to the cause can be found through the Showerman Facebook page, on a landing site created by Blue Star Multimedia specifically for the cause.


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