Park District's 28th I Tried a Triathlon Two Weeks Away

It’s their stories.  They get me every time with their stories of what brought them to the start and what propels them across the finish.  One year a woman told me that after living a pretty unhealthy lifestyle she had stopped smoking six months before race day.  For her the I Tried A Triathlon was another step in becoming a healthier person.  Another former high school athlete finishes with friends just to show he still can.  An aerobics instructor participates because it is a fun hour of exercise.

Years ago, Scott Williams was participating years ago when he spied Nancy Rotolo in the race alongside her parents.  The race went well for everyone, really, really well.  Two years ago, Scott and his wife, Nancy participated again with her parents, and their son.  Last year their daughter placed third in her division when she joined the event.

The 28th Annual I Tried A Triathlon will be Sunday, August 4 throughout the Boulder Hill neighborhood.  For almost three decades we have seen athletes of every level come to participate in this community event.  For some it is a great morning of training, for others it is a chance to reach for their personal best.

This mini sprint triathlon begins with a 250 yard snake swim in the Civic Center pool in Montgomery.  Athletes transition into a 6.5 mile bike ride through the open roads of Boulder Hill before finishing with a 2.1 mile run. 

Coordinated by the Oswegoland Park District, the event is possible because of 35 volunteers who give their Sunday morning to make these stories happen for all the athletes.  Sunday morning is staffed with friendly volunteers literally at every turn pointing athletes the right way, aidding in transitions, and preparing the post race popsicles, fruit and bread.

As they round Circle Drive East to the finish line, a volunteer will call out their number for the timers.  There is a tradition here.  The volunteer calls out their number of every biker coming in for a transition.  However, if they are finishing the race, the call is different.   For those about to cross their finish line, tradition calls for the volunteer to shout the number and then, “coming home…”. 

I think of the work that woman did to stop smoking, and the fitness instructor who encouraging others in the race while competing.  I see the high school athlete no longer fast, but steady and smiling.  He isn’t playing for the entire stands anymore, but for his own group of short little fans who hold signs and cheer him in.  There are the Williams and other families crossing the finish.  The finish line is surrounded by happy well wishers watching sisters, brothers, spouses, friends, and neighbors all come home.   I watch it all, and it gets me every time.

Registration for the I Tried A Triathlon is still being taken at Oswegoland Park District locations and online at www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org. Anyone interested in joining the army of volunteers are encouraged to contact Kristie at kvest@oswegolandpd.org or by calling (630)554-4425.  Volunteers walk away feeling great about helping, and come back to the pool for an appreciation pool party that night!