WASHINGTON -- At 56 years old, Michele Laur is doing things that many people could only dream of -- competing in triathlons.

Laur, of D.C., said she didn't begin running until she was 40. Then she got hooked on the three-sport events in 2000 and has competed in 16 of them since.

In October, Laur will compete in the biggest race in the world -- the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

The Ironman is famous for its grueling length and intense conditions. Competitors begin with a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a 112-mile bike race and then a 26.2-mile run. Triathletes are expected to finish the race in less than 17 hours.

Laur has been training for more than eight years for the chance to compete in the Ironman World Championship. She has traveled to Hawaii with her husband, Steve, four times to take in the experience.

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Through a lottery, Laur's name was chosen among more than 7,000 entrants to participate in this year's race.

Her husband is Laur's biggest fan, News4's Hakem Dermish reported, staying by her side at every race and following her step-by-step progress.

Laur isn't the only one from the area who will compete in the Ironman World Championship. Cris Carpi, of Alexandria, Va., and Sean Holman, of Arlington, Va., also will head to Hawaii for the race.