He wasn't passing out after Batavia Triathlon -- he was proposing

Megan LaForte and Brian Hoff crossed the finish line together during Sunday morning's Batavia Triathlon.

Immediately, LaForte, 31, watched her friend sink to the pavement.

"I thought he was passing out when he got down on his knees," LaForte said.

Instead, Hoff, 30, presented LaForte with a diamond engagement ring and asked for her hand in marriage. She said yes.

"I had to catch her off guard," Hoff said, grinning, with sweat still dripping down his face.

Not everyone received a diamond ring, but all of the nearly 900 athletes who participated in Batavia's fifth annual triathlon received a reward.

"It gives me a real sense of accomplishment," said triathlete Anna Lisa Somera, 29, of Des Plaines.

Men and women of all ages from throughout northern Illinois competed in the event. They swam 400 meters at Quarry Pool, then pedaled their bicycles 14 miles through the city, and finally ran another 4 miles over the community's bicycle and pedestrian trails.

The athletes crossed the finish line in front of the Batavia Government Center on the Batavia Riverwalk, to cheers from family members, friends and fellow competitors.

For some, participating in a triathlon is just a good way to stay in shape. For many others, the Batavia Triathlon is the first in a long summer of triathlons, duathlons and marathons all over the country.

Carla Hastert of Batavia plans to participate in an Iron Man event in Arizona, and hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

"This is a terrific event," the 40-year-old Hastert said.

The triathlon started at 6:30 a.m., amid brisk winds and an oppressive humidity.

"The wind was tough on the bike, and the humidity was tough on the run," Hastert said.

Kim Malmquist, 30, of Batavia, agreed.

"I think the humidity saps more out of you than you might think," she said.

The athletes completed the course in anywhere 75 minutes and two-and-a-half hours, and competed in age categories.

Greg Arndt of Westmont said his time was comparable to last year's.

"I'm just hanging on," the 44-year-old said.

Like many of the participants, Arndt said the organization of the race, ranging from pre-event communications to the markings along the route, have improved over the years.

The Batavia Triathlon's reputation has grown as a result, attracting a variety of athletes.

Northern Illinois University seniors John Atchison and Oscar Munoz were representing the NIU Tri Dogs, a school triathlon team that made the Batavia Triathlon one of its official events.

"The bike course was really fast," Atchison observed.

Trisha Dean, 56, of Arlington Heights, has been participating in triathlons for many years. Sunday's event was her 115th triathlon.

"You really stay in shape, and its more fun than working out on a treadmill," she said.