Thousands run, bike, swim in Naperville triathlon

Morgan LaSalle was on a mission with her father, Steven.

Stationed atop her father's shoulders, the North Aurora girl hoisted a handmade sign cheering on her mom and depicting her in different stages of swimming, biking and running.

"We can't find my mom," Morgan said as the pair stood near the finish line Sunday during the U.S. Women's Triathlon Series race in Naperville.

More than 2,200 women were expected to compete in the three-sport event that includes a nearly half-mile swim, 13.6-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile foot race that began at Centennial Beach and snaked its way into surrounding neighborhoods.

Crowds began forming at the Riverwalk nearly an hour before the 7 a.m. start time to watch competitors take their starts in the water.

For Barbara Flanagan, just getting in the water seemed mentally to be the toughest part of the race. The St. Charles mother, who was competing in her first triathlon, began training in January with several other friends as a way to get into shape and work toward a common goal.

By the end of the race, Flanagan was on a high.

"I feel great," she said. "I went from being able to run for 30 seconds at a time to finishing my first race. This is fantastic."

A portion of Sunday's race proceeds benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, which is devoted to early diagnostic treatment programs and ovarian cancer research.

Among the racing teams devoted to raising money for the charity effort were Jeff and Sharon Mills. The couple, along with dozens of neighbors in the city's Farmstead subdivision, created "Team Mary" in honor of Sharon Mills' mother, who died of ovarian cancer late last year.

The team raised more than $4,100 for Sunday's race.

"Some of the wives used to be competitive athletes back in school, others were just doing it for the first time," said neighbor Dan Coudreant, who joined several of the husbands along the race route to cheer on the team.

By the end of the race, dozens of competitors were greeted with hugs and flowers from family and friends.

"My niece was in a dance recital the night before and decided to share her roses," said Krissie Flesher of Farmersburg, Ind., who finished Sunday's race with several relatives who live in the Chicago suburbs. "This entire experience has been so positive and upbeat."