Captain Kristine Anthony has proudly served the Houston Police Department for 17 years.
She is also passionate about raising money and awareness for athletes with special needs.
On Saturday, she’s combining both interests, when she runs the 26.2 miles in the Ironman Texas in her police uniform, wearing a sign that states she is raising money for Special Olympics Texas.
KHOU caught up with Captain Anthony, 50, as she registered for the race today in The Woodlands.
“I’m so excited. This is where all the excitement starts,” she says.
This is her fifth Ironman competition, but it is particularly close to her heart.
“I want to honor those Special Olympians who face tremendous challenges and do it with a smile,” Johnson says. She says her colleagues at HPD respect her decision to wear the uniform while running.
“They probably think I’m a little crazy, but they look at me and, they’re like, ‘wow.’"
She says they are inspired by her dedication to the cause, and she is inspired by the athletes.
“They are my inspiration to finish," Johnson says.
Ironman rules state that competitors must finish the race within 17 hours. Captain Johnson says she hopes to finish within 15 to 16 hours.
It’ll be close to midnight and she says it will, hopefully, be a cool comfortable temperature.
She was given number 1034 to wear. In addition to running a full marathon, Ironman competitors will bike 112 miles and swim 2.4 miles.
She will not be doing those events in uniform, Captain Anthony says. She has trained hard for the triathlon.
“I’m proud of my age. I’m proud of my fitness level.” She adds, “I crossfit, I yoga, I do crazy stuff.”
So far, for this race, she has raised $2,000 for Special Olympics Texas.
Her positive attitude and devotion to her job has earned the nickname, “Captain Smiley,” from HPD Chief Art Acevedo. Captain Anthony commands HPD’s police academy, a position she has held since January.
A map of the road closures can be viewed below or here.