Swim, bike and run to the finish line

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Laura R. McFarlane
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 100 base members and San Angelo community members signed up for the 2014 Annual Triathlon at the Goodfellow Recreation Camp July 26.

The 17th Force Support Squadron hosted the event which consisted of a 400-meter open water swim in Lake Nasworthy, a 20-kilometer bicycle ride down Knickerbocker Road and a 5-kilometer run on South Concho Drive.

"We host this event to provide a quality race for our military personnel and local community to help build good connections with civilians they may not otherwise meet," said Diamond A. McClendon, 17th FSS special events coordinator.

Members from the community took advantage of this opportunity including Shane K. Plymell, Shannon Medical Center chief financial officer, who participated for the fourth year.

"I've done the race several years in a row," said Plymell. "I feel like it's well organized. I enjoy coming out here with the competition and supporting Goodfellow because they support San Angelo as well as Shannon."

Training timelines and efforts varied from competitor to competitor.

Chaplain (Capt.) Robert D. Bohnsack, 17th Training Wing, trained for three months before the competition by performing all three of the tasks required and competing in the Lake Nasworthy triathlon a couple of weeks prior. Even with all his training, he still felt it was insufficient.

"Not enough," said Bohnsack. "I did use our great McGarr pool during free lap swim for military. I appreciate FSS making that available to us."

The competition allowed individuals to compete on their own or as a team. For some competing individually, the transition between each event was difficult.

"The hardest part was making the transition from the bike to the run," said Bohnsack. "Your legs have been doing this for 30 to 40 minutes and now you have to run."

After the triathlon, the Goodfellow first sergeants held a burger burn for the triathletes, volunteers and spectators where they announced the winners.

Prizes were awarded to overall male and female; top male, female and co-ed teams; and top military male and female.

Overall male and female winners were Plymell and 2nd Lt. Courtney A. Diekema, 315th Training Squadron student, respectively. Top male and female military winners were Army Maj. Jason G. Tullis, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion operations officer, and 2nd Lt. Kali M. Lettenmaier, 315th TRS student, respectively.

Along with the triathlon, the 17th FSS hosts many events throughout the year.

"We enjoy putting on events for the Goodfellow community," added McClendon. "If there are suggestions on how to improve our events, or add other events please fill out a comment card at the Mathis Fitness Center."