Bennington Cheers on Athletes From Near & Far as Inaugural Omaha IRONMAN 70.3 Rolls Through Community

By Marisa Dawson

Two male athletes smiling and posing together after completing a race, wearing finisher medals and athletic gear, with a food truck and spectators in the background. — *From left to right: Riley Snoderly & Jake Needham, both from Bennington. Courtesy Photo.*

Thousands of athletes, volunteers, and spectators converged on the Omaha metro Sunday for the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Omaha, with portions of the race winding directly through Bennington. Omaha’s strong community support played a major role in attracting the event to the area. “Omaha in general made it attractive, the crowds, the people, the businesses, the food!” said IRONMAN Race Director Corey Roberts. “It’s an awesome venue for a 70.3.”

Cyclists traveled through the community along State Street, 138th Street, and Highway 36 as residents gathered along the route to cheer on competitors tackling the 70.3-mile endurance event. The community support did not go unnoticed by race organizers.

Reflecting on the inaugural event, Roberts said one of the highlights of the weekend was the athletes themselves. “What stood out was how happy and positive every athlete was,” he said. “Those smiles made it all worth it!”

Among those racing were Bennington residents Riley Snoderly and Jake Needham, both of whom welcomed the opportunity to compete close to home. Also competing in Omaha was Ohio athlete Todd Crandell, who has combined a lifelong commitment to endurance racing with a mission to help others overcome addiction and mental health challenges.

A group of triathletes cycling on a rural road. The focus is on a male cyclist wearing a red and black racing outfit, sunglasses, and a helmet, as he leans forward on his bike. Two other cyclists are visible in the background. — *Riley Snoderly*

A male cyclist with a mustache rides a red bicycle on a country road, wearing a helmet and sunglasses, and sporting a colorful racing outfit. — *Riley Snoderly*

For Snoderly, the event represented much more than a race. After a devastating 2010 car accident left him with a compound fracture in his leg, severe foot injuries, and a shattered kneecap, doctors even discussed the possibility of amputation. “Fortunately by the grace of god amputation was not necessary,” Snoderly said.

Following 10 surgeries and extensive physical therapy, he eventually returned to walking and later set his sights on completing a full-distance IRONMAN. “Through determination, commitment, and an iron will I crossed the finish line of my first full distance Ironman at Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2022,” he said. “The euphoria I felt crossing that finish line is one that I have never felt in my lifetime.”

When Omaha’s inaugural race was announced, Snoderly signed up immediately. “I have been preparing for Ironman Omaha 70.3 for almost a whole year,” he said. “I love doing these races and the fact that it is in our home town is awesome!”

Needham followed a different path into the sport. A friend invited him to participate in a sprint triathlon several years ago, and the challenge quickly grew into a passion. “I did the Des Moines 70.3 last year as my first Ironman event and it was a new challenge that really pushed me beyond my limits,” Needham said. “When they announced the Omaha 70.3, it was an immediate yes from me.”

For both athletes, competing on familiar roads added a unique element to race day.

“I think it’s awesome,” Snoderly said. “Omaha and especially the Bennington area offers some unique views and experiences I think you can’t find anywhere else.”

Needham appreciated the road closures that allowed athletes to focus entirely on the course. “Knowing that several of the roads will be closed will be very nice for those racing because it eases any concerns of traffic incidents,” he said.

Training for an event of this magnitude requires months of preparation and significant support from family members. Needham followed a 12-week structured training plan that included 10 to 13 hours of workouts each week, while Snoderly credited his wife for helping make his training possible.

A family poses together after an Ironman 70.3 event in Omaha, holding a finisher banner. The group includes a man wearing a medal, a woman, and two children, all in matching orange shirts. — *Riley Snoderly pictred with his wife Cynthia and children Wyatt and Hailey at the finish line. Courtesy Photo.*

“The best and really only answer to this is my wife,” Snoderly said. “She’s the one that helps support and push me at the same time.”

Needham echoed the importance of family support, noting that his wife is currently training for a marathon herself. “Even with the amount of time spent training, there’s always time for family and friends,” he said.

A man wearing a tank top and a medal is standing next to a woman holding an 'Ironman 70.3 Omaha' banner, both smiling in front of a dark blue backdrop. — *Jake Needham pictured with his wife Laryssa at the finish line. Courtesy Photo.*

Both athletes acknowledged that the race’s three disciplines bring different strengths and challenges.

Needham considers swimming his strongest event and favorite part of triathlon competition. “Swimming has always been my stronger discipline and is definitely my favorite part of any race,” he said.

Running, however, remains his greatest challenge. “Running has always been my biggest challenge, especially with the end of race fatigue after a hard bike course,” Needham said.

For Snoderly, the bike course is where he feels most confident, while the lingering effects of his injuries continue to make running difficult. “The biggest challenge for me has been my run,” Snoderly said. “Many surgeries and the injuries I experienced lead to significant pain when running.” Even so, he said recent changes to his running shoes have improved his comfort during long training runs.

While local athletes were excited to race in their hometown, visitors were equally impressed by what they found in Omaha and Bennington.

Sunday’s race marked Crandell’s 133rd IRONMAN event, an extraordinary achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that he had completed another IRONMAN in Hawaii just one week earlier. A licensed counselor and founder of Racing for Recovery, Crandell (pictured below) has spent more than three decades in recovery while helping others pursue healthier, purpose-driven lives. He has also followed a vegan lifestyle since 2016.

A group of cyclists participating in a triathlon on a road, with one athlete in the foreground riding a bright orange bike and wearing a purple cycling suit.

Through Racing for Recovery, Crandell provides counseling services, support programs, educational resources, books, documentaries, and community outreach focused on recovery, mental wellness, and sustainable lifestyle changes. The organization promotes fitness and healthy living as tools to help individuals overcome addiction, trauma, self-destructive behaviors, and other life challenges. Racing for Recovery also hosts a free livestream support group every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on its YouTube and Facebook channels.

“What makes Omaha special is I love doing races that are happening for the first time,” Crandell said.

During his time in Nebraska, he explored parts of the metro and quickly developed an appreciation for the area. “It’s a very clean, beautiful area,” he said. He also noted the welcoming atmosphere he experienced while visiting Omaha. “Nice people are here as well,” he said.

Courtesy Photo

For Crandell, racing is deeply personal, but it also serves as an opportunity to connect with and encourage others. “People have a lot of power in themselves that they don’t realize how strong they are,” he said.

Throughout the weekend, he spent time talking with fellow competitors, particularly athletes preparing for their first IRONMAN event. Despite having completed more than 130 races, he said the butterflies before the start never completely disappear.

“Whatever the individual is feeling, I guarantee you that the thousand other participants that are out there feel the same way,” he said.

His advice to newcomers was simple. “Just enjoy the day,” Crandell said. “Really appreciate the hard work that they put into preparing for the race and just go out there and enjoy it.”

His message extends far beyond endurance sports. “It’s not about the IRONMAN,” Crandell said. “It is about the IRONMAN mentality that when we apply to our own personal lives with obstacles, we will overcome every single one of them, every single time.”

A male athlete wearing a wetsuit and goggles runs on a blue mat towards the finish line of an Ironman swim event, with spectators and kayakers in the background. — *Courtesy Photo*

A male athlete in a purple and black triathlon suit runs along a path surrounded by greenery, wearing sunglasses and a race bib number 40 on his waist. — *Courtesy Photo*

That philosophy stems from his own recovery journey and the work he has dedicated his life to through Racing for Recovery. “I am in this because I love watching people improve their lives,” he said. “I’m delivering a message of ‘with sobriety, anything is possible.’”

As race day unfolded, spectators lining the roads through Bennington witnessed athletes from a wide range of backgrounds pursuing personal goals and overcoming unique obstacles.

For Needham, success meant chasing a personal best while enjoying the experience of racing in his hometown. “My goal is always to beat my personal record, whether that’s by 1 minute or 1 hour,” he said. “I’m looking forward to an overall great race no matter what.”

For Snoderly, crossing the finish line represented another milestone in a journey that once seemed impossible after his accident. “At the end of the day what matters most is simply crossing that finish line,” he said.

He added that when he reaches the finish line, gratitude is what comes first. “Simply being thankful number one to God for giving me the strength I need to finish and number two to my friends and family for going out of their way to support and encourage me,” Snoderly said.

A group of supporters cheer on cyclists from the roadside, wearing colorful clothing and holding accessories like hand-shaped clappers. One man in a red shirt and glasses is prominently waving his hands in encouragement.

Race Director Corey Roberts said the energy remained high all the way to the finish line at Omaha’s Gallup campus. “This finish line at Gallup was off the charts!” he said. “I stood there for a long time soaking it all in. Every athlete seemed to be overjoyed with their Omaha experience!”

Looking back on the inaugural event, Roberts said he was most proud of the staff and volunteers who helped bring the race to life. “They worked so hard to give our athletes a sensational experience!” he added.

Though their paths to the starting line were very different, all three athletes shared a common appreciation for the challenge before them and the lessons learned along the way.

As athletes pushed through rolling hills and the physical demands of the 70.3-mile course, spectators throughout Omaha and Bennington witnessed more than a competition. They witnessed hundreds of personal stories unfolding one mile at a time: stories of perseverance, recovery, determination, and the belief that difficult things are possible.