Ironman Wisconsin competitor dies; fell ill during the bike ride

CROSS PLAINS, Wis. - A 51-year-old man who died after completing Ironman Wisconsin is remembered as a beloved father, husband, and son. 

A few years ago, Dax Bakken decided to train for the Ironman.  His wife Kristin said she'll never forget the joy he had last weekend, even jumping up to dance in the welcome ceremony the night before the race.

His family didn't know that would be the last time they saw him.

Ironman Wisconsin said in a statement posted on Facebook that the competitor needed medical attention during the bike portion and died at a local hospital after being assisted by a race staff member and an off-duty police officer.

"Shortly thereafter, he had apparently stopped his bike and sat down, and folks found him," said Kristin.  "He had passed away. And they tried; everybody tried."

Ironman Wisconsin said in its Facebook post that it thanks "event personnel and first responders who worked to provide the athlete with medical support."

Dax Bakken

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"We share our deepest condolences with the family and friends of the athlete and will continue to offer them our support as they go through what is a very difficult time," Ironman Wisconsin added.

The full 140.6-mile (226-kilometer) Ironman contested Sunday included a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) swim, a 112-mile (180-kilometer) bike ride and a 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) run.

Two athletes died in 2019 after being pulled from Lake Monona during the swim portion of the Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin triathlon. That race was half of the full 140.6-mile Ironman contested Sunday.

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 10: An aerial view of age group athletes competing on the bike course at IRONMAN Wisconsin on September 10, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

Associated Press contributed to the article.