Algonquin man shares joy in triathlons with family

Gary Kanner of Algonquin, a member of Team Aquaphor, has placed in the top three in his age group in each of the four triathlons in which he competed this year, including the Chicago triathlon Aug. 29.

Kanner, a Ph.D. physicist, husband and father of two boys ages 8 and 6, has been competing in triathlons since 1994. He began training for triathlons while living in the Southwest, and since moving to McHenry County in 2000, has taken advantage of the many races offered throughout the Midwest.

The 47-year-old won his age group in Mackinac City Triathlon July 25, was second in the Galena and Lake Zurich triathlons earlier in the summer, and third in the Chicago triathlon.

He was second in his age group at the Run through the Hills 10K run in Lake in the Hills last April, and first (second overall) at the Run for the Bear 10K, sponsored by Bear Necessities, in Algonquin Sept. 26.

His family has also caught the triathlon “bug.” His wife, Cynthia, competed in the Chicago Supersprint triathlon, and his 8-year-old son, Dylan, competed in his first kids' triathlon. Both of these races took place Aug. 25.

Next year, his younger son, Benjamin, now 6, plans to compete in his first triathlon. Along with Kanner, both boys won their age group races at the Run for the Bear.