The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard hosted its seventh annual Live, Love, Tri indoor triathlon on Saturday, March 31, attracting 45 participants ages 11 and older and raising $10,000 for the Y’s Financial Assistance and Community Outreach program.
The festive, upbeat event is open to both members and nonmembers, and includes competition in the three traditional triathlon categories: swimming, running, and bicycling. Participants can compete individually or as part of a team. Awards are given to the top three winners in each category.
Better yet, Live, Love, Tri is a party. Each person through the door is met with smiles, high energy, and a killer rock ’n’ roll soundtrack. (If “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” doesn’t make you want to swim, run, or bicycle, nothing will.)
“This is a favorite event for both the contestants and for Y volunteers,” said Nina Kienzior, the YMCA’s director of operations. “It brings the community together for a good cause and at a down time in the year.”
Health and welfare director Asil Cash echoed the sentiment. “We like to make connections with the community,” he said. “This is a unique event, the only indoor triathlon on the island. It’s been very successful.”
As for the competition itself, Tara Nitardy of Vineyard Haven personifies the spirit of fun and physical challenge that the triathlon provides.
“I’ve participated in all seven triathlons,” she said, “and the atmosphere is always great. People have fun and also want to do well.”
When asked about her own performance, she smiled. “I had my best swim ever,” she said. “And I did 3½ miles on the treadmill. It was a good day.” Tara was being modest. “She’s one of the best athletes we have at the Y,” said Mr. Cash.
Twelve-year-old Jack Crawford of Edgartown was part of a three-person family team. He did the swimming, while his parents, David and Amy Crawford, handled the running and cycling.
“This was my first triathlon,” Jack said. “I was nervous about swimming for 20 minutes, but it went by quickly. When my goggles kept clouding up, I just kept going.”
By day’s end, people drifted away with smiles on their faces and, in some cases, with goodies in hand. There were medals for the various winners, generous raffle prizes from local businesses, and LIVE LOVE TRI T shirts for everyone.
At the Y last Saturday, a good time was had by all.
Here are the winners:
TRI OVERALL
1: Elizabeth Goodell
2: Chris Edwards
3: Tara Nitardy
TRI MALE
1: Chris Edwards
2: Shawn Barber
3: Bryan McShea
TRI FEMALE
1: Elizabeth Goodell
2: Tara Nitardy
3: Anna Barber
RELAY TEAMS
1: Amy, David and Jack Crawford
2: Rita Barbosa and Jen Passafiume
3: Casey O’Connor and Nedine Cunningham
TRI AGE-GROUP WINNERS
1: Chris Edwards, Bryan McShea, Shawn Barber, Elizabeth Goodell, Paul Bloom
2: Tara Nitardy, Caleb Carr, Mike Saunier, Jonathan Chatinover, Ted Murphy
3: Christina Colarusso, Jeff Majkowski, Susan Sanford, Lucinda Cassells, Richard Cohen
