Mentorship, endurance sports, and TBK Bank Marathon 5-person relay all part of the Rock Valley Way for therapists Kelly Kersten, Joshua Holeman and Bryan Hurd

At their respective cores and deep into their ever-dedicated hearts, Kelly Kersten, PT, DPT, SCS, AT/C, Clinic Manager at Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Blue Grass, Iowa clinic, Joshua Holeman, PT, DPT, and Bryan Hurd, PT, DPT, are grateful to be part of a working family of physically active professionals. 

It is one of the many beauties that sets Rock Valley apart. 

That company-wide commitment, like it is every year, will be on display with Rock Valley’s title sponsorship – and running-shoes-on-the-ground-involvement – of the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon and its 5-person relay. The 5-person relay is part of a bevy of TBK Quad Cities Marathon events set for Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 26-27, beginning – and ending – in Moline, Il. The 5-person relay boasts $500 cash prizes for the fastest male team, fastest female team, and fastest co-ed team. 

Hurd, Holeman and Kersten are each part of a Rock Valley relay squad, including a Kersten family relay unit. The TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon (https://www.qcmarathon.org)  –  a USATF Certified and Boston Qualifier course – was selected as the Illinois’ Marathon of the Year for 2025 and has – for 2026 – been dubbed the Road Runner Club of America’s championship race. For decades, Rock Valley has been an integral part of what has become a Quad Cities and Midwestern tradition, covering two states and five cities. 

For Hurd and Holeman, two tremendously gifted, knowledgeable, and compassionate therapists in the pilot stages of their respective careers, Kersten is the ultimate mentor. A phenomenal therapist, Kersten is also a patient and understanding teacher and leader, and the perfect sounding board. Beyond his clinical expertise, Kersten has also shared with Holeman and Hurd a passion for endurance sports. 

Having Kersten in their respective corners as guidepost to their careers and as an endurance-sports enthusiast, has been a godsend for Hurd and Holeman. 

That influence led the two to take on the recent IRONMAN Wisconsin challenge, joining Kersten and his wife, Angela, and over 1,400 other endurance athletes. 

Holeman, Kelly Kersten and Angela Kersten, competed – and completed – the full IRONMAN, while Hurd accepted – and conquered – the half IRONMAN in Madison, Wisconsin. It was Holeman’s first venture into a full Ironman and Hurd’s first go round with a half, having bested – many times – a triathlon sprint challenge. 

An ironman is a long-distance triathlon race consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon run completed consecutively in a single day. The grueling physical and mental test of wills usually takes between 11 and 17 hours. 

A half Ironman is a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run. 

It must be noted, all four excelled at IRONMAN Wisconsin. 

“This year was my third full Ironman in Wisconsin and my wife, Angela’s first,’’ said Kersten, who completed the challenge in a time of 12:13.00, which was 9th out of 71 in his age bracket, 284th overall out of 1,071 men, and 350th overall from a field of 1,404 competitors.   Angela Kersten did magnificent work, clocking a 13:41.00 for IRONMAN Wisconsin, while Holeman worked a top-notch effort of 13:48.00. Hurd, a standout prep swimmer in his days at Bettendorf (Iowa) High School, completed the half Ironman the day before in 6:31.00. 

“My first Ironman was in 2019,’’ added Kersten. “I am extremely lucky to work for Rock Valley Physical Therapy and be surrounded by so many physically active professionals. You can blame Chad Humphrey (PT, MPT, OCS, Clinic Manager Rock Valley 43rd (Moline, Il. where Holeman and Hurd practice), and my brother, Todd Kersten, PT, OCS (retired Rock Valley cornerstone) for my start in endurance events.’’ 

For Holeman and Hurd, IRONMAN Wisconsin was a test of wills, an endurance journey that left both pleased they accepted the challenge. 

“First, we were blessed with a beautiful day,’’ Holeman said. “The water was calm and the wind did not play a part. There were challenges, especially with the running part, but what got me through was the encouragement from others, the love that was shown by the other athletes competing and those who surrounded us on the course. Not one disparaging word. And Madison (Wis.), as everyone knows, is a college town. It does a wonderful job with all aspects of putting on the event. The people – other athletes, and the many college students lining the course – were amazing. There really was love and care and every turn.

“My biggest challenge was the run,’’ Holeman added. “The swim and the bike – I thought I did well, but running – and there was some pain – it almost brought me to my knees. There were, I must admit, some demons, but with the support we all received, I was able to push through. With it comes a deep sense of accomplishment. It was an incredible experience.’’ 

Hurd noted that the wind – on the day the half Ironman was held – was a factor, but he stayed with his plan, benefitted from support from family and friends, and used the aid stations with water, electrolytes and food, as a road map to the finish. 

“I have been a swimmer all my life, and I had a plan,’’ said Hurd, who noted days off from practice in high school were earned by extended training sessions prior. “I am not in high school swim shape – not quite there -- but I am getting there."

“And with our group rides each week I share with my dad, we are in the 25-30-miles range,'' added Hurd. “I had worked up to 60 miles (in training) and was prepared for that as well. It helped that I had my folks, my aunt, uncle, a cousin that goes to U-W, and a couple of friends lending support. The impact of encouragement when being tested physically and mentally play a huge part.’’ 

A plan of mini victories also helped Hurd complete the challenge. 

“On the bike, I made sure I sought aid stations and benefited from the biggest bottle of water available,’’ he said. “On the run, each mile marker was a victory and each aid station to get water, replenish with electrolytes and alternate between oranges and pretzels, was a goal. I also hitched my wagon to a group of four (runners) and used that to push ahead. Yes, a challenge, but a great feeling when I finished.’’ 

For Holeman and Hurd, having Kersten on their side – first as a team leader, an inspiration to maintain fitness – and now as a resource as therapists – has been beyond a blessing. 

“I got to know Kelly back in 2020, when I was a tech for him,’’ Holeman said. “Kelly was, and still is, the perfect example of how you care for – and treat – patients. It’s why they were lined up to see him back then, and they are lined up in Blue Grass – I’m sure – to see him now. He’s that good. I know I want to emulate him as a therapist and be the best person I can be. I learned so much from him, things that continue to serve me well today. He is such a gifted athlete that you also want to be like him on that end."

“That’s been one of my goals,’’ added Holeman. “To be like him athletically. I ran in the (2025) Turkey Trot (a Quad-Cities’ running staple Thanksgiving morning) and my time was better than his. To me, it was like the little brother finally beat the big brother and the big brother enjoys the fact that the little brother’s day has come. Kelly is a special, a one of a kind.’’ 

Hurd shares Holeman’s appreciation and respect for Kersten as a mentor, leader, athlete, and as a person. 

“Kelly can be intimidating, because he is a man of few words,’’ Hurd said of Kersten. “It means something when he says something, it did then (as a technician), and it does today as a therapist. Once I was there with him (as a tech) for a few months, he knew I would do all that I needed to do to be ready every 40 minutes to set up for another patient. He said something in my yearly review I still hold on today. Kelly told me any time he saw me come in he knew that it was going to be a good shift. That was huge from him. Then, once we started talking about triathlons, he was a chatter box. He is a great mentor and someone I can – and do turn to – when I need help. His influence has been an important component to my journey.’’ 

Whatever your TBK Quad Cities Marathon challenge might be, Hurd and Holeman say to simply be yourself, have your own plan and stick to it. 

“Simply run your race,’’ Hurd said. “You know your body; you are the one that has been training and you know it best. There is no shame in walking, either. There is no shame in any part of the day because you are out there doing your best. You don’t need to be the best (runner) you need to be the person who is active.’’ 

“Don’t look at what others are doing,’’ Holeman said. “It, whatever it might be, is a race against yourself. How much can you endure? It’s not the physical side – and there can be some pain involved that makes you not reach that goal – it’s your battle with the mental component of what you are doing. It’s important to master that." 

“Please respect what you are doing, and never underestimate it, but stay in the moment as much as possible. Remember, there are people – other runners – who are in your corner, and there are others watching that will be encouraging you. The rewards are worth the effort.’’ 

Great advice from two who have lived it and learned from one of the best. 

By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller