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FAFB hosts 12th Annual Clear Lake Triathlon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Fairchild Air Force Base hosted the Clear Lake Triathlon July 30, 2016 for the 12th year in a row.

The first place winner in the male division was Senior Master Sgt. Donald Belfils, 141st Inspector General superintendent wing inspection program, the first place winner in the female division was Staff Sgt. Amanda Bergquist, 141st Medical Group medical logistician, and the first team to finish was the 92nd Force Support Squadron team, The Force.

“It gives people an opportunity to enter the triathlon world, which can be intimidating for a lot of people, even myself,” 2nd Lt. Zachary Baumann, 92nd FSS chief of readiness and plans. “You can rally up your shop and do it as a team, or challenge yourself and do it on your own. Racing is cool downtown, but it’s pretty intimidating if you don’t know anyone, this one is different. You have your squadron commander out cheering you on, people from your shop cheering you on, it’s a cool environment to get started with triathlons.”

Twenty-eight members of Team Fairchild participated in the triathlon, which ranged from first timers to experienced tri-athletes and consisted of Active Duty, Guard and family members.

“Originally I was only going to do one of the parts, but I ended up training and I started to realize I could accomplish each of the components,” said Tech Sgt. Henry Medina, 92nd Comptroller squadron financial services flight chief. “It was great and it was very friendly, I didn’t feel pressured, which made it the perfect environment to have done my first triathlon.”

The event was planned and organized by several members of the 92nd FSS.

“Organizing the event meant we had to coordinate all the different aspects of the triathlon,” said Staff Sgt. Phillip Sanchez 92nd FSS fitness program manager. “We had to get shirts and trophies, talk to the Washington State Department of Transportation to organize signs and make sure the bikers are safe, coordinate with Clear Lake Resort so we had a boat ready to go for the distance marker for swimmers, and make sure we had life guards from the aquatics center.”

The Clear Lake Triathlon was a sprint triathlon, which consisted of a 500 meter swim, 17.5 kilometer bike ride and a five kilometer run. The 92nd FSS is currently planning on hosting a duathlon which is just the bike ride and run for September, with more information to come.