Crohn's & Colitis

Climbing Sugar Loaf at the Great Floridian 2009

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About William Choppa

I’ve been doing Triathlon’s and Ultra Distance races of various lengths since 2000. These distances range from short sprint races to the full Ironman distance. That’s 140.6 miles of swimming, biking, and running!

I first started doing this sport to see what my personal limits were. After finishing a few Ironman events, I decided to start racing for a cause.

More than 23 years ago (when I was 15 years old), I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a serious and debilitating disease that is one of the leading causes of colon cancer in the United States. In 1992, I was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a disease that damages and blocks bile ducts inside and outside the liver. The symptoms of these diseases are life-altering and pervasive, and there is no cure (yet). Unless a cure is found, I will likely need a liver transplant later in life.

While I am not a professional athlete, I am hoping that people will nevertheless be interested and inspired by my full, healthy and happy life, despite this terrible disease. I want to show others that they can achieve their goals and dreams, whatever the challenges they face in their lives.

Lonstar Half Ironman Triathlon

I am officially competing in the Lonestar Triathlon on April 5th in Galveston, Texas.

This is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run.

For more information about this race and training updates from my blog, go to http://www.williamchoppa.com!

Ironman Lake Placid

I am officially entered in the 2009 Lake Placid Ironman! This event takes place in July of 2009. Please check here frequently for my updated race schedule.

Also you can go to http://www.williamchoppa.com for blog entries, photo galleries and other news.

Note - This is not a CCFA sponsored event, however all proceeds will be donated to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.