More than 800 physically challenged and able-bodied athletes observed a moment of silence at the starting line to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy.
The 11th annual Loma Linda University PossAbilities Triathlon took place Sunday, April 28, beginning at 7:00 a.m., and included a 3.1-mile run, 11-mile bike ride, and 150-yard swim.
In addition, a kids’ triathlon featured quarter-mile runs and bike rides, as well as a 25-yard swim. A bounce house provided a fun obstacle during the race.
Triathlon participants wore the Boston Marathon colors on their identification bibs. Physically challenged athletes—many of them amputees—honored the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy with words of comfort, encouragement, and inspiration following the race.
The fastest adult athletes in various categories were made up of: overall male, Connor Sousa; overall female, Julie Ertel; male pro, Jose Jeuland; female pro, Julie Ertel; male basketball chair, Steve Hoffman; male race chair, Scott Parson; male other, Fermin Camarena; male moderate leg, Nick Roumonada; female moderate leg, Umida Lesicko; male arm impairment, Tony Troccoli; female arm impairment, Katrina Taylor; male les autres, Jesse Ramos; male severe leg, Andre Barbieri; male hand cycle, Owen Daniels; and female hand cycle, Beth Sanden.
For the kids’ triathlon, the fastest boy in the 1-15 age category was Chad Nelson, and in the 16-19 category was Josh Rodriguez-Irons. The fastest girl in the 1-15 category was Ana Canpos; in the 16-19 category, Isi Ibarra finished first.
The annual PossAbilities Triathlon raises funds for the PossAbilities Program, a community outreach effort developed by Loma Linda University Medical Center – East Campus.
