The 2002 Manson Northwest Webster graduate knows this is a solo effort in name only, though. The community support — in person or in spirit — will be more important than ever before.

“It’s going to be tough, doing this on my own,” said Sullivan, who works at Bemrich Electric. “Full-distance Ironman Triathlons are physically and mentally challenging anyway, especially during the later hours in the day. Usually, you at least have other athletes around you if you need an extra push. Without that, it would mean so much to have people out there (along the path) encouraging me and motivating me.

“Those ‘cheering sections’ make a big difference.”

The 36-year-old Sullivan, who first worked his way up to this level of triathlon training and competition three years ago, decided to take matters into his own hands when the COVID-19 global pandemic reached the United States last March. With a number of scheduled 2020 events off the table, Sullivan began to map out a local version of his own 140.6-mile Ironman Triathlon — a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and a 26.22-mile run in one 12-hour period of time.

“The original plan was two full Ironman Triathlons and a few other races, but one-by-one, they were all getting canceled,” Sullivan said. “I started considering the idea of doing a full on my own here in Fort Dodge. I put the word out, not necessarily expecting to get much of a response beyond my (immediate support system).

“A friend of mine asked if I had planned on raising money for a charity like I did for the 2017 Ironman Wisconsin race. He kind of got it all started by saying he’d donate 50 cents per mile, and would double it if I finished in under 12 hours. So I thought I’d give it a try, with the focus being the same organization as I picked in 2017: Team ZERO (an organization fighting to end prostate cancer).”

Mark Good helped advance the cause by setting up a fundraising page and making a push on social media.

“Mark has been very supportive and really helped me out with his media contacts,” Sullivan said. “It’s not really my nature to run out to businesses looking for donations or support. But he pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and pitch the idea, because it’s for such a good cause.

“It’s taken off in ways I would’ve never imagined.”

Sullivan raised a few hundred dollars at first. The donations continued to steadily pour in, slowly at first, then “like a wildfire.”

With a week to go before the race, Sullivan is nearing his lofty $10,000 goal.

“It’s been inspiring,” Sullivan said. “I’m close to $8,000 in donations, and another $1,500 or so in per-mile pledges. Like the race, I couldn’t do this by myself. It’s been a community effort.”

Sullivan will start in the pool at the Fort Dodge Community Recreation Center downtown at 7 a.m. next Saturday. The swim portion of the race will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

From there, Sullivan has a bike route mapped out that includes many of the smaller neighboring communities around Fort Dodge. The plan is to wrap up his cycling activity by 3 p.m.

“Swimming has always been my most difficult discipline,” Sullivan said. “And with the pool being closed for periods of time (during the pandemic), I’m a little behind on my training there. I have two more (preparatory) swims coming up, both this weekend and mid-week next week.

“I’m confident about the bike and the run. It’s a matter of the proper pace, while focusing on nutrition and hydration. My wife (Jennifer) will meet me at the 30-, 60- and 90-mile marks (during the bike race) for food and water, and we’ll have people set up to help on the run as well at six different locations.”

Sullivan always expressed interest in mud runs and other challenges before graduating to triathlon events.

“I was a fast finisher,” Sullivan said. “And I was ready to try something different. When I first heard of the Ironman Triathlon, I thought it sounded crazy. But I worked my way up to the half (70.3 miles), and did my first full in Madison (Wisconsin) in 2017.

“I’ve wanted to push myself more and more. This is something completely different, but I hired a trainer and coach, Katie Silfies from Speed Sherpa Nation, and did a half by myself to see how it would go. After that, it didn’t take me much to get nudged in the direction of doing a full if everything else was called off.”

Sullivan posted on his website that “one in nine fathers, sons, brothers, partners, and friends will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, including more than 161,000 throughout the U.S. this year alone. I’m racing with Team ZERO because I want to put an end to the suffering of prostate cancer and I need your support!

“Help us get one step closer to Generation ZERO — the first generation of men free from prostate cancer by donating to fund research, patient financial assistance, early detection, and educational programs. Please support me by making a tax-deductible contribution today! And as I cross the finish line, you’ll feel proud knowing you helped keep families together and save lives.”

Sullivan plans on finishing his competition at approximately 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 in the Fort Dodge Senior High parking lot.

For more information on Sullivan’s endeavor or to contribute to his cause, visit support.zerocancer.org/goto/patrick.