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YMCA triathlon attracts 138 athletes
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Bob Dimaiolo gets a smile on his face as he is about to finish the race..
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Dave Drabison of the Steel Valley Triathlon Club.
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Marisa Facchini crosses the finish line after competing the triathlon at the YMCA in Boardman..
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
Word is rapidly spreading among competitors in the tri-state area that the D.D. & Velma Davis Family YMCA’s Sprint Distance Triathlon is fast becoming the premier kickoff event of the racing season.
Sunday’s sixth annual event, co-sponsored in conjunction with the local Steel Valley Triathlon Club, drew 138 participants from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia ranging in ages from 16 to 66.
Each entrant was asked to compete in a 500-yard swim, a 14.5-mile scenic bike ride and a 5K run at the branch’s Boardman facility on McClurg Road.
“I have been involved in all six triathlons and have even competed in a few as well. Each year they just seem to get bigger and better,” said Tom Grantonic, branch director.
“The last three years it has been rainy and cold so today’s weather was an added plus for everyone,” Grantonic said. “Our event is like a preseason event.
“The distances aren’t overwhelming so it allows those competing the opportunity to test their fitness levels,” Grantonic said. “It also gives everyone a good gauge to see what shape they are currently in and what they might have to improve upon for the remainder of the season.”
Youngstown State University graduate Shawn Aker, a physical therapist and the 2008 champion, has competed in five of the six events but missed out on defending his crown last year after re-locating to Colorado.
“I started working at the Davis YMCA the day that it opened and served as head lifeguard and facility supervisor until moving away in the summer of ’08.” Aker said.
“An event like this encourages others to be active and lead a healthy lifestyle,” the Columbiana native said.
Dave Drabison, 55, a 1973 graduate of Austintown Fitch and a retired General Motors millwright, has competed in all but the first local triathlon and has run in seven marathons, including the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.
He ran his last marathon in 1996 and says his main job now is training for triathlon competitions.
“My daughter calls me [Double Nickels] so I guess I speak from the heart when I say at my age it is controlled chaos out there,” Drabison said.
“I had to teach myself how to swim competitively in order to get ready for a triathlon, so for me the challenge has been readying myself as I go from the water to the bike to running,” Drabison said.
Jeremy Riehm, a former YSU cross county/track and field athlete under coach Brian Gorby, was a member of the Penguins’ first Horizon League indoor championship squad.
He will receive his D.O. degree from Ohio University on June 5 and will enter Michigan State University a week later to begin a five-year residency in orthopedic medicine.
In town Saturday for former Penguin teammate Matt Paullin’s wedding, Riehm had no problem making the competition’s 7:30 a.m. start.
“Matt [Paullin] wanted to run 20 miles on Saturday morning and because of what was going on for him that day, we got up at 4:20 a.m. So while he ran, I biked along side him,” Riehm said.
“I pushed myself to the limit while at YSU and had my share of injuries,” Riehm said. “At Ohio University I got involved with their club team and have had a wonderful time keeping in shape. I like that people come out, not only for a good cause but to stay healthy in the process.”
Lisa Myers of Mars, Pa, who has competed in several Iron Man competitions and already has qualified for the Long Distance Championships this November in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is one of the more unique entries.
“I couldn’t swim and didn’t have a bike 10 years ago when I got started, but I liked to run and wanted to compete,” Myers said.
“I did my first competition and that was it; I was hooked,” Myers said. “I love this event because it is a very fast event where the Iron Man competitions are all day so you have to take your time and pace yourself.”
Canfield’s Moira Fair likes the fact that many different people from all walks of life, representing a variety of age groups come out and take part.
“Most are better at one thing so you have to keep improving in the other two areas in order to keep up with those in your age bracket,” she said.
The oldest entrant at 66 was John Dickson, a retired school teacher from Knoch High School in Saxonburg, Pa.
He started to compete in triathlons when he was 59 and now has 20 competitions under his belt.
“I cannot golf and I love to compete so today’s event, my third in a row here, warms me up for the season ahead. Honestly, I would like to be in better shape than I am right now,” the full-time real estate agent added.
Margo Jacobs, co-director said, “This event raises funds for our Strong Kids Campaign, which gives memberships to those who ordinarily couldn’t afford a membership.”
Co-director Robin Turner said, “Our event keeps growing and we all realize that there is a lot of planning that goes into hosting this type of competition. We’re really pleased that many now use this as their season-opening competition.”