TRY TRI AGAIN

By Jon Moffett

Special YMCA challenge becomes a family affair

111“The running is the hardest part, because of my leg,” Westfall said.

Westfall’s accident occurred after he rear-ended someone at a stoplight. He exited his vehicle to exchange insurance information with the person in the other car. As he was standing by the other car, a third skidded on the ice and slammed into Westfall, pinning him between the two vehicles.

“Just to be out here and able to participate with my family is a blessing,” Westfall said.

Westfall and his family were just a few of the participants in this year’s Youngstown Central YMCA Triathlon. They were also just one of many families.

“The best part about this whole thing is that we tried to make it a family thing,” YMCA Fitness Director Maureen Horvath said. “Kids will come to cheer on their parents, and then two hours later the parents are cheering on their children.”

Adults began their triple-threat at 7 a.m. with 20 lengths — or 10 laps — in the pool. Athletes could either swim or walk the 500 yards in the pool.

After the swim, the athletes got out of the pool and walked swiftly to their bikes outside.

The 10-mile route took riders from the YMCA — located on North Champion Street — to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Gypsy Lane. Riders then returned to the YMCA and repeated the course. The third and final leg was a three-mile run.

Jim Ferraro of Boardman finished first overall for the men. His final time was 56 minutes and 10 seconds. Ferraro has been running and involved in events such as the triathlon for more than 10 years. Ferraro echoed Horvath’s comments on the family affair.

“It’s a pretty unique event for families,” Ferraro said. “The Y is very family-oriented. You have a lot of people out here who aren’t doing it regularly. This gives them a jump-start and a taste of it.”

Amanda Frost finished first for the women. Her time was one hour, 41 minutes and 59 seconds.

“My first triathlon was this one last year, and I won it,” Frost said. “I swam all throughout high school and college, but the running is the hardest part; you get off of your bike and it’s just brutal.”

Horvath said approximately 110 adults took part in the event, which was up from the 77 who participated in 2007.

After the adults finished their event, there was another triathlon for the children. Around 120 children ages 4 to 6 took part, Horvath said.

“They are becoming more popular,” Horvath said of events like the triathlon. “The entire fitness industry is really taking off, and for this event, you’re training for three different events.”

This year was the sixth triathlon for adults. The youth triathlon has been running for 15 years.