Longview, TX — A Longview doctor will compete Saturday in the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, achieving a life-long goal.

Robert Wessman saw the Ironman when it was first televised and wanted to compete.

“It was always a dream I always wanted,” Wessman said. “I am just thrilled to death that I get to live this dream.”

An Ironman Triathlon is an endurance challenge where competitors swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a traditional marathon of 26.2 miles.

The race — designed to be the ultimate test of endurance — began in 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Since learning about the competition, the 6-foot 6-inch tall, 270 pound 47-year-old, has trained in numerous ways, including running three non-championship Ironman Triathlon’s — two in Houston.

To read more about this story visit KETK newspaper partner the Longview News-Journal.