Crystal Lake Triathlon - raising money in the rain

 Transition area at Crystal Lake, Photo by Campbell

The Crystal Lake Triathlon in Averill Park NY to benefit Hannah's Hope Fund went off at 8am on Saturday August 29th in the fog and rain.  There was a mere 4 minutes between waves, but the swimmers disappeared quickly.  The water temp was 78, so the water felt great and was much warmer than the air!  Athletes had a great race despite the rain.  

 Hannah and her Mom, Lori  Photo by Campbell

The race supported Hannah's Hope Fund, which recently received a grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation.  Every dollar raised between now and Feb 15, 2010 will be matched!!  Do what you can to help.  Hannah was at the race and helped start each wave.  She and her sisters also helped greet athletes as they came across the finish line.

 As in every triathlon there were lots of stories.  Hugh Dunseath, affectionately known as Superman to friends, needed Ron Bagnoli's help after the swim to get out of his wetsuit.  After losing time in transition he proceeded to get  a flat on the bike.  Hugh finished with a time many would be happy to claim as their own.

Lisa Campbell and Catherine Bologna - raising funds for LLS

 Julie Gauer, a Team in Training cycling and triathlon coach had a flat on the bike course.  Just a week earlier she had let the air out of Catherine Bologna and Lisa Campbells’ tires to force them to go through a tire change during their training for the Nations Triathlon in September.  Was it karma or just bad luck for Julie?  Catherine and Lisa are not only focused on training for an olympic distance triathlon, but also on raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The two crossed the finish line together - maybe foreshadowing the finish in DC.  Colleen Cahill, a Team in Training alumni from the Memphis in May race had a great first swim in the rain and was psyched with the race cool shirt. 

Paula Devantier was styling on some new wheels, braking the bike in by getting it nice and dirty.  Howard Kreitsek had an awesome race beating his own time expectations, must have been the xtrerra training earlier in the season.   Many other triathletes each had their own stories - Rachel, Robin, Becky, Claire, Tom, Dave, Alisha, Mike T, Janice, Karen, Jim, Josh, LoriAnn, Cynthia, Beth, Dave P., Dan D - nice racing everyone. 

As far as the awards go, Lane Dickson, a second season triathlete placed 2nd in her age group and is now headed to start at Upstate Medical.  Team Summit Hills consisting of Tammy Friend, Jenn Kendrick, and Holly Cristafaro is now deciding the rotating house schedule for their 3rd place team trophy.  They were the first all female team across the line .  Angela Mayhew could have joined the Team Summit Hills, but decided to go the distance on her own.  

The overall race awards were for the Men:

1. Keith Murray           1:21:42 

2. John Noonan           1:23:46 

3. Anthony Felitte        1:23:52 

The overall race awards were for the Women: 

1. Michelle Rosowsky      1:33:48 

2. Christina Ardito            1:36:58 

3. Kristen Hislop              1:40:04 

Congratulations to Todd Salvesvold and Jenny Stahl as co race directors, the Capital District Tri Club and all the great volunteers.  Thanks to all the athletes - your support of the race is also helping the Hannah's Hope Fund in the Hope for a Million.

Team Summit Hills - Tammy Friend, Jenn Kendrick and Holy Cristafaro

Send your race story to Kristen Hislop at hislopdesigns@hotmail.com