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nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; From the moment the starting gun is fired on Kona's sandy beach at the Ironman World Championship, triathletes have 17 hours to cross the finish line. It's a feat marking the ultimate achievement in the sport. 17 Hours to Glory is one of only a few books to commemorate this dramatic quest. Seventeen compelling stories allow readers to experience the competition first-hand, revealing tremendous athleticism, unbelievable capacity for suffering, and true strength of character. nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;The personal stories of triathlon's most epic characters come to life in this book, beginning with the famous story of Julie Moss's determination to reach the finish line, paving the way for future champions like Mark Allen and Paula Newby-Fraser, and a new generation of superstars in Greg Welch and Chrissie Wellington. 17 Hours to Glory tells the stories of a sedentary secretary with all of the wrong habits taking up triathlon to lose weight, a nun who races triathlons to bring attention to her causes, and two men with a rivalry so intense that their disabilities fade into the shadows. Injury, tough breaks, and down-to-the-wire finishes highlight years of dedication to reaching a goal. nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;Some will become champions, some will overcome all odds just to finish, only to come back and do it again. Triathlon's most dynamic heroes are candidly portrayed in 17 Hours to Glory, a book that puts no limits on the possibilities of the human spirit.