Annual Grand Forks AFB Triathlon to take place July 19

  • Published
  • By Mrs. Rachelle Sian
  • 319th Fitness Center
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  When was the last time you did something for the first time? That is a great question that we should all ask ourselves periodically. Before I ran my first triathlon five years ago in Texas, I was the furthest thing from an athlete of any kind. The pride and amazement that I felt after finishing my first triathlon was overwhelming. I was so proud to be a triathlete as a 36-year-old mother of three with a deployed husband. I became invincible! It was an amazing feeling and I became fired up about triathlons.

That race changed my life. I became a person with more confidence. I was healthier and more fit than I had ever been in my life. I immediately started to train harder for the next tri on the calendar. I wanted to beat my first time. There was no way that I would ever be a competitor, but self improvement is always an option. I love the theme for our training group, "You don't have to win...You just have to TRI!"

For our first Triathlon, there were more than 50 participants and an awesome group of supporters and volunteers. I see many t-shirts from last year's race being worn around base. It is something to be very proud of.

Last year we had several people try to sign up after the deadline and unfortunately those people were turned away. Be a part of the fun this year. Anyone can do a triathlon but not many do. Trust me when I tell you that it will change your life. Not to mention bragging rights. Sign up today at the Fitness Center to run the race, or volunteer.

Race day is July 19th and the deadline for sign up is July 11th. This is a strict deadline so don't wait until the last minute.

The cost of the event is $25 for individual racers, $60 per relay team ($20 per team member), and $20 for youth ages 11 to17. All finishers will receive an "I TRI" t-shirt, a finisher's medal, and awards will be given for 1st thru 3rd place male, female, relay and youth.

The distances of this race are 400-meter swim, 10-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run. Volunteers are needed for lap counting, event timers, water stops, traffic control, finish line events and awards. If you have any questions about the race or volunteering, call Rachelle Sian at 701-330-3301