A Harrow athlete is being recognized by his hometown with a gateway sign.
Lionel Sanders is a world-class tri-athlete, recently placing second in the Ironman World Championships. In a statement the town of Essex says it wants to thank Sanders for using his "remarkable athletic accomplishments" to be an ambassador for the community.
He tells AM800 News it was a bit of a shock at first.
"When I reflected back on it, it was cool," says Sanders. "It makes me feel like it's appreciated, what I'm striving for, what I'm trying to accomplish in my life, and it's being noticed."
The community appreciation validates the ideals that have inspired him throughout his career, and he hopes that passes on to others.
Lionel Sanders crosses the finish line in second place at the Ironman World Championship Triathlon, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) (photo courtesy of CTV News)
"You can come from anywhere, doing anything. What I'm trying to do is become the world champion of triathlon and I think there's lots of transferability of that idea to basically any endeavour in life," Sanders says. "So it's an honour for me, this is one step on that pathway of proving that."
The 29 year old set a world record for the fastest Ironman time ever in November of 2016 — he says it's been a long journey.
"It's taken me a solid eight-years of analysis, and trial and error, making mistakes, and figuring out how to do things better in terms of training and nutrition and all those things," says Sanders. "Now I look at it as the beginning of things now that I have a good sense of how to properly prepare."
A ceremony will be held on Walker Rd. at the 3rd Concession in Harrow at 10am Wednesday.
— with files from AM800's Kathie McMann.