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SALT LAKE CITY — Aug. 14, 1994. Michael Dunn's life changed in an instant. While jogging early in the morning on a dirt path in Grand Teton National Park, the serenity of the pristine morning was abruptly interrupted.
"Out of nowhere (came) the loudest, most terrifying scream I've ever heard," Dunn recalled. That scream came from a full-grown grizzly bear that hit Michael going full speed and proceeded to scratch, paw, bite and eat at his newfound prey. "I thought this was it. I was going to die on a running trail and never see my family."
Michael did survive, but the recovery was long and painful. Three hundred stitches, three surgeries and only 18 months later, Michael was up and not only walking, but back on the marathon trail. His goal was to compete in the Boston Marathon. He did that twice.
However, there was one more item on his bucket list — The Kona Ironman World Championship Triathlon.
He trained hard for the Ironman qualifier in St. George in 2010, but seven weeks before the event, while running, he was struck by a car and broke his shoulder.
Still, that didn't stop Michael Dunn. He competed in St. George.
"Just to finish was incredible," Dunn said.
He didn't have a fast enough time to qualify for the Kona Ironman, and his dream was thought to be finished — until now.
The Ironman sponsors are holding an Internet contest that could allow Dunn to finally achieve his dream of participating. Those interested produced 90-second videos explaining their inspirational stories of the dramatic turns in their lives and how they overcame them.
Michael's son produced and posted a video of his dad's story and now he is in competition with others from around the world. The eight stories with the most votes will earn a spot in the Kona Ironman.
If you would like to vote for Michael Dunn to help him cross this off his bucket list, visit the Kona Ironman site.
