It’s not easy being made of iron.

Just ask Tim Cogan, Pat Cronin and Michael Lemaster. For 47 years, the three, early on the Saturday morning of each Memorial Day weekend, have laced up their shoes and headed to downtown Wheeling to compete in the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic.

Injuries have not gotten in the way. Neither have family commitments nor hundreds of other possible reasons.

No, on those Saturday mornings the trio has logged their 13.1 miles over one of the most difficult half marathon courses in the nation. That’s no small feat.

Think of it this way: over 47 years, the three men individually have run more than 600 competitive miles along the city’s streets.

That’s the equivalent of running from Wheeling nearly to Charleston, South Carolina.

If you see them on the course today — all three will have special shirts signifying them as among the city’s finest — give them a cheer of encouragement.

We’re sure it will be highly appreciated.

Here’s to seeing them again on the course next year, the Ironmen of Wheeling, getting ready to tackle a 48th running of the race.

What an inspiration to us all.