Sign up now for the area’s preeminent triathlon
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – Do you like to swim, bike, or run? Sign up now here for the 15th annual Tri-Community Tri to conquer all three and take home this year’s bragging rights.
Race directors Brian and Angela Paull took over the event from its originator, Chérla Ramsey, in 2016 after Ramsey moved to the Phoenix area. The volunteer-run, family-friendly event is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), and proceeds are donated to a fitness-related purpose in the community. Registration ends Thursday, Sept. 11, so click here to sign up now!
Additionally, organizers are looking for volunteers to assist with the event. Several volunteer spots are still available, including helping at the Pima Pool, assisting with water, and dismantling race equipment. Click here to see the service opportunities and sign up!
The Tri-Community Tri is a multi-distance sprint triathlon in a rural setting in Pima, Arizona. The Sprint Triathlon event begins with a 425-yard swim in the Pima Pool, located at 321 S. 100 East, on Saturday, Sept. 13.
After the swim, racers will climb aboard their bicycles for a 15-mile ride through rolling scenic hills and then finish with a 5K (3.2-mile) run through neighborhoods in Pima. The race finishes in the same area as it began.
For those who aren’t quite up to the Sprint level, the Super Sprint category includes a 125-yard swim, a 7-mile bike ride, and a 1.5-mile run. For racers under 15 years of age, the Kids Triathlon consists of a 75-yard swim, a 1.2-mile bike ride, and a half-mile run. There is also an option to participate in a relay team for the Relay Sprint, which requires at least two team members to split up and run, bike, and swim.
Medals will be awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers in both the overall male and female categories, as well as in each 5-year age bracket. The same award will be presented to the winners of the Super Sprint and Kids Triathlon. While anyone can participate in the Kids Triathlon, medals are reserved for those under 15 years old.
Last year, Jake Henrichsen took first place in the Sprint Division for the men overall in a time of 1:09:48. Henrichsen blew past the competition on the 15-mile bike portion to win overall by nearly 4 minutes.
Second place for the men was Derek Millett in 1:13:38, and third overall went to Kevin Minor in a time of 1:21:52.
For the women, perennial all-star Melinda Nelson brought home the gold in a time of 1:22:50, nearly 10 minutes ahead of the next female finisher. I have Melinda down as a 6-time champion, and the only time I can recall her not winning, if she competed, was when Olympian swimmer Lacey Nymeyer-John entered the triathlon after marrying former EAC basketball player Chandler John. Lacey won a Silver Medal in the 400m Free Relay at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
In the Super Sprint Division, Samuel Crandell took home first place for the males in 40:44, followed by Joh Mazurik at 42:18, and Jackson Paull in 51:46 despite having taken a nasty fall at the beginning of the bike and having to MacGyver it back into working order to ride the course.
For the females, Shea Magill took first at 50:16, followed by Kaylen Minor at 50:38, and Kelly Odegaard at 54:25.
“The Tri Community Tri started as a way to promote health and fitness in our community,” states the description of the event on the signup page. “Our race is put together completely by volunteers, and all proceeds are put back into the race for the coming years, with the remaining funds donated to the community. The race is a recognized non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible. This effort allows for greater opportunity in helping our community.”
So, whether you are a serious triathlete, weekend warrior, casual athlete, young, or old, sign up for the Tri Community Tri and be the best version of yourself while helping the community achieve fitness goals.
