Triumph in Australia, a crash is Switzerland, and a new title for Allegany County tri-athlete
By Andrew Harris
We’ve reported on the wonder of Willing NY in the past, covering his silver medal placement in Switzerland in 2022. In 2023, Ron’s “globetrotting” was put on hold after a rough bicycle-deer crash near his home.
Healed up and ready to go, Wightman has been all round the world in 2024. the first trip was to Australia where according to his #1 fan and wife, Tina Case-Wightman:
“Ron took two gold medals in the Multi sport world champion competition in Australia!!”
With the wind at his back, Ron came back to Allegany County, did a few weeks of training, and was back on a plane to the other side of the world. He returned to Switzerland two years after his silver medal at the Powerman Zofingen World Championship. We asked Ron how it went, he grimly replied:
“I’m back home from my adventures. The race in Switzerland did not go well. I crashed in the rain about 70 miles into the bike portion. I was able to get going and finish the race. Because people helped me when I crashed I was disqualified. Banged my leg up and it was quite painful during the 16 mile run at the end.”
With perseverance being key to the life of a tri-athlete, Ron dusted himself off and returned back to home in Willing NY. A few days of rest and he was back on the road to a major honor in Atlantic City. With his wounds from Switzerland healed, Ron was very proud to report a major honor bestowed on him by the Triathlon Foundation:
” I received the honor of 2023 Great Grand Master Duathlete of the year from USA Triathlon. The award was presented at the Triathlon Foundation Gala in Atlantic City.”
If you see Ron at this years Ridgewalk & Run, which he has helped organize since the beginning with pals Rich Shear and Chaffee, don’t forget to congratulate the “Great Grand Master!!”
Read our reports from Ron’s 2022:
