April 30, 2015

Record-breaking 1,150 participate in PossAbilities Triathlon

About 1,200 registered participants ran, biked and swam in the 13th annual PossAbilities Triathlon on April 26 at the Loma Linda University Drayson Center.

“We had a total attendance of about 2,700 athletes with their families and friends,” says Pedro Payne, PhD, PossAbilities director. “It’s the largest registration and attendance we’ve ever had.”

PossAbilities is an outreach program of Loma Linda University Health that helps people with disabilities live full lives. 

Payne added that this year was the first of a three-year sponsorship of the organization by Quest Diagnostics. The company made a $1 million commitment to the program. Molina Healthcare and the Girl Scouts also supported the event by sponsoring food for participants.

“Of our 1,200 participants, 87 were challenged athletes,” Payne says.

The family event featured face painting for children, food and beverages, 35 vendors and exhibits, and a rock-climbing wall.

“It was a wonderful event,” Payne says. “It gets better every year.” 

5K overall winners – male with finish times
Alex Miller – 18:46
John Alvarez – 19:16
Kurtis Martin – 19:30 

5K overall winners – female
Wendy Hetherinton – 22:44
Trish Morey – 23:32
Camillia Brieno – 23:40

Tri overall winners – male
Gage Hale – 53:26
Lucas Korcek – 54:16
Matt Underwood – 54:39

Tri overall winners – female
Julie Ertel – 55:20 – professional triathlete from Team USA
Shaneis Malouff – 59:20
Sinta Troccoli – 1:02

Challenged athlete tri winners – male
TRI 1 – Steve Hoffman
TRI 2 – Andre Barbieri
TRI 3 - Greg Tyler
TRI 4 – Tony Troccoli
TRI 5 – Esau Garcia
TRI Other – Spenser Lim

Challenged athlete tri winners – female
TRI 1 – Courtney Ryan
TRI 2 – Molly Bloom
TRI 3 – Natalie Little
TRI 5 – Denise Rozporka
TRI Other – Bernadine Irwin

Challenged athlete 5K winners – male
Day chair – Erick Castillo
Power chair – Joshua Dotson
Hand cycle – Luis Ovando
Race chair – David Wyatt
Other – James Bernardez

Challenged athlete 5K winners – female
Amputee – Shanina Rice
Day chair – Jaclyn Cimino
Power chair – Stacy Hull
Other – Rajani Lim

Tri relay winners
1st – Nicole Longfellow and Hunter Wilson
2nd – James and Sarah Perfect
3rd – Kurt Griffis and Drew Miracle

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