Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE – On Saturday, almost 500 participated in the 24th Optimist Club triathlon.
The annual race benefits the club, which then uses the money to fund other community programs supporting local children.
This year the event raised around $10,000 in net proceeds, according to Ron Donkers, race director.
Race officials said the turnout was about average from what they’ve seen in the past.
The main race consisted of a 400-yard swim, 13.5-mile bike ride and 3.5-mile run.
Scott Erba, 48, Winona Lake, was the overall male winner and he finished with a time of 1:01:50.
Timothy Murray, 31, Goshen, was second with a time of 1:03:21.
Third was Matt York, 42, Kokomo, with a time of 1:03:59.
For the women, Shanna Bonnell, 34, Star City, topped the race with a time of 1:09:55.
In second place was Diana Schowe, 53, Auburn, with a time of 1:17:59; and coming in third was Heather Martin, 46, Elkhart, with a time of 1:18:01.
The youth race (11 to 14 years old) is a recent feature added to the event. All youth competed by swimming, biking and running on a shorted version of the adult course.
Adelle Schlotterback, 11, Fort Wayne, finished first of the 11/12 girls with a time of 28:34.
Wesley Bell, 12, Nappanee, topped the 11/12 boys with the time of 27:15.
The 13- to 14-year-old boys category was won by Carson Kerlin with a time of 33.53; the 13- to 14-year-old girls category was bested by Macelyn Marcuccilli, 13, Warsaw, with a time of 40:51.
The myTeam Triumph event was created to help children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities that would normally not be able to experience endurance events such as triathlons or road races. The athlete in the chair is the team captain. Each captain is surrounded by at least two volunteer "angel" athletes who are their "wings" to propel the captain around the course.
For Barb Martz, who was in charge of the myTeam Triumph, the event wasn’t about winning or losing.
“It’s about providing the experience,” she said.
The adult kayak wave option removed the swim portion and instead athletes used a kayak to navigate a separate course beginning and ending at the beach.
Trace Hansen, 45, Warsaw, won the male kayak portion with a time of 1:23:27.
Melinda Kinder bested the women in the kayak race with a time of 1:32:59.
There also were two races for people in a bigger weight class called “Athena” and “Clydesdale.”
Athena was won by Alisha Fransted, 35, Mishawaka, with a time of 1:38.24; and Todd Snyder, 46, Winona Lake, won the Clydesdale with a time of 1:19:15.
The race used 14 certified lifeguards in the water, assisted by additional volunteers in kayaks and jet skis, as well as the Warsaw Police Department dive team to ensure course safety.
Over 140 Optimist Club volunteers, assisted by Winona Lake, Warsaw and Pierceton police and fire departments, helped with the race.
