Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Gary Sorensen paced a cadre of competitors from EA in the 2019 event. Sign up now for the 2024 Tri Community Triathlon in Pima on Saturday, Sept. 14.
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 14th 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 race originator Chérla Ramsey in 2016 after Ramsey moved to the Phoenix area. The volunteer-run, family-friendly event is a non-profit 501c3, and proceeds are donated toward a fitness-related purpose in the community. The event wasn’t held last year but has been brought back this year due to community demand.
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 bright and early on Saturday, Sept. 14.
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 feel aren’t quite up to the Sprint level, the Super Sprint category includes a 125-yard swim, 7-mile bike ride, and 1.5-mile run. For racers under 15 years of age, the Kids Triathlon includes a 75-yard swim, a 1.2-mile bike ride, and a half-mile run.
Medals will be awarded for first, second, and third place for both male and female overall and in each 5-year age bracket. The same will be awarded for the winners in the Super Sprint and Kids Triathlon. While anyone can take part in the Kids Triathlon, medals are reserved for those under 15.
In the last race in 2022, Jack Hackett took home first overall male in a time of 1:10:27, followed by Daniel Pearce at 1:11:29 and Ross Platt at 1:15:19. Record holder and multi-race champion Bobby Gonzales, of El Paso, was unable to make the 2022 race due to a broken collarbone suffered in a riding crash.
For the women, it was Melinda Nelson cruising to her fifth career overall first-place finish in a time of 1:24:18. She was followed by her daughter, Hinckley Nelson, in a time of 1:31:42, and Dee Scott was third at 1:31:54.
In the 2022 Super Sprint race for the females, Vonda Salmon took first at 43:25, followed by Danielle Oliver at 45:16 and Esther Seibold at 52:38.
For the males, Jackson Paull blew away the competition and finished first in the 2022 Super Sprint at 44:05. Nicholas Renteria followed him in second place at 54:47 and Andrew Turley in third at 54:41.
“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 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.
Sign up now; price rates increase after July 25. Registration ends Sept. 12.
What: Tri Community Tri
Where: Pima Pool
When: Saturday, Sept. 14
