Local brothers return home after grueling Ironman race

ATLANTA — Completing an Ironman triathlon is one of the ultimate athletic achievements.

For Brent Pease, finishing the 140.6 mile feat with his brother Kyle, who has spastic cerebral palsy, was a triumph of will and determination.

The sound of a horn and cheers from nearly two dozen relatives and friends greeted the brothers at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. Moments after the hero's welcome, Kyle told Channel 2's Carl Willis what all of this meant to him.

"It was one of the best weekends of my life," he said. "To do it with Brent is really special."

Brent cycled with Kyle in tow, swam with him harnessed in a boat and then pushed his wheelchair across the finish line. Still, Brent, said it was Kyle who pushed him.

"He helped me get through that day, and I helped him get through that day, together," Brent said. "So, it was pretty incredible."

Pease’s family said the brothers are true Ironmen.

"They are true Ironmen and I don't know who's the stronger one, I really couldn't say," said Brent's mother-in-law Gale Silverman.

Janice Pease told Willis her sons have always shared a special bond.

"Brent always felt like he had to take care of Kyle," she said. "This just to me epitomizes sharing his life with his brother."

The brothers said this is life without limits.

"To do something that people told him he wasn't ever going to do is pretty awesome," Brent said.

He and Kyle started the Kyle Pease Foundation to create moments like the ones in Madison, Wis., when they crossed the finish line.

The brothers want to inspire others with disabilities to become athletes, marathoners and even an Ironman.

"We all have a gift, we all have something to offer to this world," Kyle said. "This is only the beginning."

The brothers said they have their eyes on the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October.

WSBTV