'Service and community'

Melissa Dorsch of Jacksonville, Fla., is scheduled to be in Ironman CDA on June 27 in honor of her “Ironmen” grandfathers, decorated Navy veterans, who both passed away from dementia-related illnesses. She's also raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

The former NCAA Division I swimmer and CrossFit enthusiast will attempt the 140.6-mile triathlon, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim in Lake Coeur d'Alene, 112-mile bike that includes the North Idaho Centennial Trail and U.S. 95, and 26.2-mile run.

Dorsch is dedicating the race to her two grandfathers — Larry Keith Crawford and Jon Eric Dorsch Sr., both of whom were decorated Navy veterans who lived with dementia-related illnesses — and her family who supported them.

“My family, through the years, taught me that service and community are so important,” Dorsch wrote on her AFA fundraising page. “I want to raise money for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America during my training process, with hopes that in the coming years, research for dementia will be funded more heavily."

“Love is what drives Melissa to undertake this challenge, and strength, endurance, and perseverance will get her through it," said AFA President and CEO Charles J. Fischillo Jr. "These are the same things Alzheimer’s family caregivers rely on every single day, and she knows that firsthand from her own family’s experiences."

To prepare, Dorsch trains for the event regularly (in addition to holding a full-time job and pursuing an MBA), and competed in a half-Ironman in Haines City, Fla., in April. She completed the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run in just over 7 hours and 20 minutes.

"I feel excited and grateful that I am healthy and well equipped for the next stretch of training," she wrote.

Dorsch has raised more than $3,100 for AFA’s programs, services and research efforts. Individuals wishing to support Dorsch can do so by visiting her fundraising page.

"When we suffered the loss of a second grandfather to dementia, I knew building awareness for this nasty disease was something I needed to do. My Poppops' bellowing voice could be heard through every pool I ever competed in," she wrote. "I won't hear him at the finish line of this race, but he will be there with me."

More than 3,000 athletes are registered for Ironman Coeur d'Alene. It's the first full Ironman in Coeur d'Alene since 2017.

Volunteers are still needed to help on race day. A variety of roles need to be filled, including crowd control, pointers and aid station volunteers.

To register to help out: www.ironman.com/volunteer