Edwards AFB Hosts "High Desert Sprint Triathlon"

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  • By 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Thirty-eight triathletes competed in the "High Desert Sprint Triathlon" at Edwards AFB Feb. 25. The event, the first triathlon on Edwards in nearly 10 years, consisted of a 500-meter swim in the Oasis Indoor Pool, a 13-mile bike ride around the base, and a 5-kilometer run.

"The event was an amazing success," said Lt. Col. Brian O'Neill, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron director of operations and race director. "A group of triathletes started the idea last November. We wanted a simple first event that we could grow into a tradition."

The triathlon organizers, Lt. Col. Kathy Hughes, Lt. Col. Brian O'Neill, Maj. FrodoAndre Evensen, Staff Sgt. Halder Hernandez, Sandra Lummer, Robert Warner, Alex Chin, and Jean Roland all met through their common interest: laps at the Oasis Pool.

"We all like to race, but sometimes the overhead of driving to a race, getting a hotel, and traveling home can be a bit much. Races close to home can be really convenient," said O'Neill.

The event began at 8 a.m. with three waves of triathletes swimming 20 lengths of the indoor pool. Volunteers counted laps.

Upon completing the swim, the athletes quickly donned their cycling gear and headed out to a chilly and windy ride around the base.

"Without our volunteers, including the amazing professionals of the 95th Security Forces Squadron, we could not have hoped for such a safe and smooth ride," said O'Neill.

"The 95th SFS team really made the event- they controlled traffic so that athletes could blaze through intersections. They cheered on competitors and even gave race updates. They made the day," said Lt. Col. Kathy Hughes, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander and race organizer.

After completing the bike course, the triathletes quickly changed gear again back at the transition area behind the Oasis Pool Complex. They set out running 3.1 miles with only a single aid station along the route.

"Triathlon is a great sport in that it challenges a competitor both mentally and physically. Athletes must train to handle the rigors of the sports and conditions of the day while devising a plan to stay hydrated, energized, aerodynamic, and psychologically ready to handle adversity," said O'Neill.

Because the race was a first event for the volunteer crew that put it together, participation was limited to 45 people. The organizers are forming an Edwards Triathlon Club and intend to host another event May 19. The club hopes to include different distances as well as events and activities for children.

With the small competitor field, the organizers elected not to award age group awards in favor of overall prizes. The men's field topped out with David Boyle, contractor, finishing first; Maj. FrodoAndre Evensen, 416th Flight Test Squadron director of operations coming in second and Capt. Carlos Ferrer of Los Angeles Air Force Base finishing third.

The women's top competitors were Kathly Diorio, Air Force Flight Test Center Financial Management director, Annemarie Navarro, military spouse and third place going to civilian Tina Halamicek.

The field included athletes from age 13 - Alli Azzano- the fastest overall swimmer-- to age 66. Several husband-wife couples competed as well as a mother-daughter duo that encouraged each other to strong finishes. Many first-time triathletes completed the course alongside triathlon veterans.

Triathlon is a growing sport. Races usually fall into either Sprint, Olympic/International, Half- and Full- "Iron" distances. Most events follow the swim-bike-run format, but some buck the trend to challenge athletes. Relays are common and most competitors find it to be a very inclusive sport with a fun, encouraging culture.

"Edwards is a great place for triathlon. It doesn't have open water like many venues, but it has almost endless, great roads for cycling and running. Athletes from the base don't have to travel far and there isn't much traffic on the weekends," O'Neill said.