Race Review: FitRec Indoor Triathlon & Duathlon

What a time to tri..or du…a race…lol!!! On the prime of 2022, the rise of Omicron precipitated lots of people to return in isolation, services to take elevated cautionary protocols, and occasions in some circumstances to pause. That, along with our typical midwest gritty climate of decrease temperatures and the heightened snow this month, it was this weekend’s sunshine that ushered in a glimmer of Spring coming and the racing season, as nicely.

So, this Sunday’s FitRec Indoor Triathlon & Duathlon was a welcome race occasion to get contributors out of the hibernation season of winter and again within the groove of being energetic, together with myself.  The occasion kicked off on the Well being, Health and Recreation Heart on the campus of Moraine Valley Group Faculty in Palos Hill, Illinois.

The ability format is nice with every thing from a reserved part within the locker rooms for contributors of the occasion, to detailed explanations prior to start out of the swim, a number of timers within the fitness center to separate the bikers from the runners to understand how a lot time they’ve left, and superior volunteers which are useful for these new to racing.

The primary wave at 8am included a mixture of racers within the pool doing the triathlon, in addition to some operating the lane outlined within the fitness center to race the duathlon.  First time duathlete, Felicia Houston, dared to attempt one thing new and did it with a smile whereas on the bike. This occasion has slowly grown in reputation, with a rise of individuals new to racing a duathlon or triathlon.

Having raced this occasion beforehand, it has turn out to be one I positively would advocate with highlights together with a pleasant swag bag of goodies, nice water temperature within the pool, the bike spacing with the runners racing laps on the outer lane of the fitness center (I personally detest occasions with treadmill runs).

Ellen Papan, who serves as lead for this race expressed how nice it’s to see the rising variety of curiosity and participation within the occasion and hopes for extra to come back. Evidently, as director of an occasion, rather a lot goes into the logistics, and the continuation of this race was a particular success. In between checking on numerous particulars, you noticed her checking on contributors and cheering them on.

Together with seeing newbies to the game, it’s refreshing to additionally see seasoned athletes which have performed this race and different occasions up to now.  I usually run into triathlete, Julie Mescher, who I jokingly informed her makes it look straightforward, and likewise took 1st place feminine within the Triathlon Masters Division. Go Julie! A number of of the others who hook prime honors embody:

David Maher: 1st Place Male – Triathlon Masters Division;

Joelle Beranek: 1st Place Feminine – Triathlon Open Division;

Gerardo Valencia-Trujillo: 1st Place Male – Duathlon Masters Division;

Ahlam Al-Kodmany: 1st Place Feminine – Duathlon Masters Division;

Tom Gilmartin: 1st Place Male – Duathlon Open Division;