Fairchild athletes compete in Clear Lake Triathlon

CLEAR LAKE, Wash. – A group of bikers round a bend during the Clear Lake Triathlon here July 21. The annual competition included a 600-yard swim, 15.34-mile bike and five-kilometer run. Sixty athletes completed in this year’s event, the third of its kind. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias)

Fairchild athletes compete in Clear Lake Triathlon

CLEAR LAKE, Wash. – Master Sgt. Doug Crossen, 92nd Communications Squadron firs sergeant at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., starts out on a five-kilometer run, the final portion of the Clear Lake Triathlon held here July 21. Sergeant Crossen competed in the event on a two-man team, which placed fifth in the team category. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias)

Fairchild athletes compete in Clear Lake Triathlon

CLEAR LAKE, Wash. – From the left, Tech. Sgt. Miranda McKenzie, 92nd Services Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Jessica Daniel, volunteer, log final times for athletes at the annual Clear Lake Triathlon here July 21. More than 20 volunteers spent the day directing traffic, flagging athletes, acting as life guards, performing motorcycle patrol, and filling a host of other job descriptions. The volunteers are crucial to the triathlon’s success, according to John Gahagan, 92nd Services Squadron fitness center director at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. “Without these volunteers, we just cannot make it happen,” he said. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias)

Fairchild athletes compete in Clear Lake Triathlon

Published July 24, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

CLEAR LAKE, Wash. -- A clear sky and comfy 80-degree temps ... It was a perfect day here for a run, a bike ride or a swim.

What the heck - why not all three? That's what 60 athletes representing Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., seemed to think as they competed in the Clear Lake Triathlon July 21, a race that had them swimming 600 yards, biking 15.34 miles and running five kilometers toward a finish line.

The annual event, held at and around the 92nd Services Squadron's Clear Lake Resort, is a result of months of planning that start by February of each year, according to John Gahagan, 92nd SVS fitness center director.

"Except for the swim, the triathlon takes place on county property so we have to apply for a permit," he said, explaining that obtaining a permit is no easy feat. The director had to find a minimum of three flaggers to direct traffic, and make sure they were each certified through the Washington Department of Transportation. Then he had to hunt down signs for the flaggers from Spokane City Parks and Recreation.

Once he had his flaggers waving their flags, Mr. Gahagan started looking for other necessary materials. Base agencies provided fencing and cones, life guards, and emergency medical coverage teams, while some generous sponsors offered drinks for the athletes and some monetary donations.

"Aside from that, this event takes a good number of volunteers; without these volunteers, we just cannot make it happen," said Mr. Gahagan. More than 20 volunteers spent the day working everything from motorcycle patrol to cheering the athletes on to the finish line.

First across that line was Tech. Sgt. Michael Bergquist, a Washington Air National Guardsman currently activated to the 92nd Security Forces Squadron at Fairchild, with a time of 1:06:48. Not far behind him was his wife, Amanda, who broke the female record with a time of 1:21:03. Both athletes have run the Clear Lake Triathlon since its first year in 2005.

"Clear Lake was a sprint distance race; I train for this specific distance year-round," said Sergeant Bergquist. "In terms of training, I just put this into my regular training week, and then I take two or three easy days before the event to let my body rest up."

This triathlon is one of many throughout the year for the sergeant - he competes regularly. In fact, he travels this week to Ventura, Calif., where he'll compete in the Armed Forces Championship at Point Mugu Naval Air Station July 28. The Guardsman said he enjoys the Clear Lake course, adding that the bike course is "very scenic, with a couple of challenging spots." He is personally familiar with the course, as he helped plan the first Clear Lake Triathlon two years ago.

"I actually live on the edge of Medical Lake, so I ride that course pretty much every day," he said. "In the first year I helped John (Gahagan) measure the race. The running course is exactly a 5k run - I measured it to the foot."

The following athletes placed in the final triathlon results.

Female under 30 category
1st place: Amanda Bergquist, time 1:21:03
2nd place: Capt. Jennifer Schoffstall, time 1:30:55
3rd place: 1st Lt. Catherine Christ, time 1:34:42

Male under 30 category
1st place: Capt. Evan Roth, time 1:21:49
2nd place: Airman 1st Class William Anderson, time 1:23:00
3rd place: 1st Lt. Zach Schoffstall, time 1:26:34

Female over 30 category
1st place: Sally Prenger, time 1:51:44
2nd place: Amy Annanie, 2:06:25

Male under 30 category
1st place: Tech. Sgt. Michael Bergquist, time 1:06:48
2nd place: Senior Airman Frank Cottongin, time 1:20:14
3rd place: John Esch, time 1:20: 45

Team
1st place: Tech. Sgt. Michael Bergquist, Tom Luisi, Steven Finley, time 1:12:24
2nd place: Chief Master Sgt. Willaim Welch, Capt. Harley Doubet, Col. Jeffrey White, time 1:19:07
3rd place: Airman James Thompson, Airman 1st Class Samuel Ouimet, Airman Kenneth Roohr, time 1:25:13