Triathletes power through rain in Naperville
The art of racing in the rain was put into practice Sunday by more than 1,700 athletes who took part in the Gildan Esprit de She Triathlon in downtown Naperville.
Despite heavy downpours from onset that delayed the race's start 15 minutes then lingered for about the first half of the event, organizers said of the 2,026 athletes who signed up, only 316 didn't show.
Jennifer Garrison, an elite runner from Naperville, crossed the finish line first, finishing in 1 hour, 6 minutes and 44 seconds.
The race, considered a "sprint" triathlon, began with a half-mile swim at Centennial Beach, followed by a 13.3-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run through central Naperville.
Garrison won a similar race under rainy skies just last week in Hammond, Indiana, said Scott Hutmacher, athletic events marketing manager for Lifetime, one of the race's corporate sponsors.
"She's an amazing athlete," he said.
Elizabeth Waterstraat, also of Naperville, came in second with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes and 23 seconds. Audrey Ernst, of South Elgin, placed third, finishing just 11 seconds later. More results are available at espritdeshe.com.
The race is one of three in a series this year. The next Esprit de She triathlon takes place Oct. 18 in San Diego. The races benefit Girls on the Run, which aims to impart life skills to girls through activities such as running.
"It's a series for women to celebrate sisterhood," said Hutmacher, adding that a few men also choose to compete.
Amanda Vollrath, 34, of Aurora, said Sunday's race was her third triathlon. She said she competes in triathlons in an effort to maintain good health, live longer and increase her energy levels.
The rain was no real threat, said Vollrath, who finished in 1 hour, 44 minutes and 45 seconds.
"You train for this. It's not like you wake up and say, 'Oh, it's raining, I'm staying home,'" she said. "It'll be something to remember." Two-thirds of a three-woman relay team from Joliet waited in the Centennial Beach parking lot, where swimmers transitioned to cyclists and cyclists to runners.
"We're doing it for fun," said Carla Hutley, 64, the relay team's runner. "I'd rather it didn't rain."
"For me the rain wasn't a big deal because you're getting wet anyway," said teammate Tammy Ohm, 66.
After completing the race, competitors gathered near the finish line in an open, grassy area between the Riverwalk and the Grand Pavilion to eat fresh fruit, hydrate, get massages and check results on tablets set up in the results tent.
Hutmacher said about 30 percent of participants were first-time triathletes.
Jennifer Wickersty, 49, of Crystal Lake, finished her third triathlon Sunday. But it was her 13-year-old daughter Skyler's first time out.
"She hears me talking about how fun it is," Wickersty said. "I like racing. I like winning. I grew up with three brothers."
Wickersty finished 7th in the field of 169 athletes in the 45 to 49 age group, with a time of 1 hour, 24 minutes and 39 seconds.
But she wasn't quite done for the day. As her daughter was nearing the end of her bike ride and about to embark on the run, Wickersty left to join her, repeating the third leg of the challenge.
"She said, 'Never again,'" Wickersty said of her daughter. "Everyone does."
So did she, she said. And that was two triathlons ago.