Trek Women Triathlon Series — Columbus
Registration: Must be completed between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. by Saturday, July 24 — online registration is closed.
Where: Licking County YMCA, 470 W. Church St., Newark
Race: 8 a.m. Sunday, July 25
Where: Buckeye Lake State Park, 2305 Liebs Island Road, Millersport
Cost: Individual $85, relay team $160. Both require a $10 USA Triathlon membership fee.
More information: (740) 345-9622 or www.trek womenstriathlonseries.com/columbus_ohio.html
Who can participate: Any female ages 14 and older.
DAYTON — It turns out Stephanie Auld’s passion for competitive racing runs in the family.
Oakwood resident Auld, 24, ran her first sprint distance triathlon last year on Aug. 23 in the Great Buckeye Challenge at Buck Creek State Park in Springfield.
This year, it’s a family affair. Auld and eight of her female relatives — ages 20 to 49 — will compete in the Trek Women Triathlon Series — Columbus on Sunday, July 25, along with three family friends.
The sprint distance race consists of a ½-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run accomplished either individually or in a relay. The Auld family is running the race in four relay teams of three members each, with Auld competing in the swimming portion of her relay.
“My family is pretty competitive in general. We don’t like to lose,” Auld said. “We chose the multi-age bracket so that we could all compete together and start at the same time. Originally, we wanted to start together so that we could support one another, but then we were like ‘no, we just want to compete against each other.’”
The Trek Women Triathlon Series was founded 20 years ago by Director Maggie Sullivan as a way to bring fitness opportunities to women in a very safe and supportive environment.
“The race in Columbus is a little different from the other races in the series,” Sullivan said. “They are more dialed into a family oriented atmosphere.”
“The older women set examples for the younger women by competing in the triathlon,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan views the series as a way to help women accomplish their goals.
The motivation for several of Auld’s family members, like many triathletes, came from the desire to be at a better fitness level.
“After I ran in the triathlon last year, a lot of my relatives were talking about wanting to get back into shape and I suggested that we all do a triathlon,” Auld said.
“We chose this race because it’s in Columbus so (relatives) can’t get out of it because of distance and because it’s all women of all experience levels. You don’t have to worry about competing with men around.”
Auld’s experience is similar to many stories Sullivan has heard from participants over the years.
“I don’t think women lie in bed, wishing to be a triathlete,” Sullivan said, “But they are lying in bed hoping to be more fit. The series offers that in a safe environment with your friends.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0742 or tcastner@Dayton DailyNews.com.
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