"Tri-to-Win" Triathlon Attracts Regional and National Racers

The South Carroll "Tri-to-Win" Sprint Triathlon, sponsored by the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation (JMNMF) on June 18th, 2006, registered 275+ racers from seven states, ten Maryland-counties, Baltimore City and the District of Columbia.  The impressive geographical scope of this race reflects the increasing popularity of triathlons throughout the U.S., especially the shorter, "sprint" distance events. 

Sprint triathlons, are far less intimidating than the professional and grueling "Ironman" distance events internationally televised from Hawaii and exotic venues throughout the world.  The short-course, sprint event serves as an entry point for all ages into the unique field of recreational, multi-sport races that combine swimming, biking and running events into a single race.

This inaugural JMNMF sprint triathlon was an excellent event for the many first-timers, and experienced racers, to compete in a family friendly, enthusiastic and well-supported setting.  The 400-meter swim occurred in the South Carroll Swim Club's outdoor competition pool, and the race progressed into the 14-mile bike and 3.1-mile (5K) stages, that showcased the scenic and rolling countryside of southern Carroll County, Maryland.

Prizes were awarded for overall top female and male finishers, the top three female and male finishers in nine age group brackets and a special category award was bestowed for top Father/Daughter and Father/Son pairings to commemorate the Father's Day event.  View Race Results.

 Local Talent Dominates “Tri-to-Win” Men’s Program

Local talents earn overall victories in top three male finishers – in first place, Joe Liberto, 32, of New Windsor, MD (left), completed the course in 1:05:09, nearly two minutes faster than his 1:07:01 second place finish in 2005.  Liberto was followed closely by last year’s fourth place overall winner, Todd Bingaman, 43, Mt. Airy (center) in 1:06:13 (bettering his personal 2005 time by over three minutes); and, third place overall, Doug Graham, 47, Eldersburg (right) in 1:07:46, likewise bettering 2005’s placement by nearly two minutes. 

One week prior to this year's "Tri-to-Win" race, Liberto completed the ½ Ironman series "Eagleman" race held in Cambridge, MD.  Graham, who placed third in his age group in the full Ironman Wisconsin in September 2005, earned a coveted slot to compete in this year's October 2006 Ironman race to held in Kona, Hawaii.  Good Luck Doug!

Female Win Awarded to Duplinsky of Kensington

Crossing the finish first in the overall women's division results, Michelle Duplinsky, 21, of Kensington, MD in 1:17:15.  Duplinsky was followed by a tie for overall second place earned by Karen Milkosky, 27, Washington, D.C. and Julia Bryan, 26, Baltimore – both in 1:19:11.   

Female 40-44 Winners’ Bracket Features Carroll County Winners

Shelly Obrecht, 42, Mt. Airy placed first in 1:21:08; followed closely by first time triathlete Karen Shephard (right), 40, Eldersburg, in 1:22:09; and rounded out by Lisa Simons, 42, of Westminster, MD in 1:30:44.  Nearly six dozen Carroll County residents competed in this year’s "Tri-to-Win"  Sprint event.

 

Melanoma Survivor Brittany Leitz Completes "Tri-to-Win" & Wins Miss Maryland Pageant

Brittany Leitz, 21, Edgewater, MD (left) proudly finishes the "Tri-to-Win…the fight against melanoma" Triathlon and, on July 1, won the title of Miss Maryland.  At the time of the race, Lietz was the holder of the Miss Tidewater pageant award.  The crowning of Brittany as Miss Maryland on July 1 heralds both an important moment and opportunity in the fight against melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. Brittany is a young woman who once aspired to having the perfect tan in the belief it would win her more beauty pageants. At only 20 years of age, her perfect tan turned into a diagnosis of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Lietz will now use her celebrity position as a national platform for raising awareness of the dangers associated with tanning booths and too much sun exposure. Statewide, she has spoken to high school students at their schools and attended health fairs to warn others. She has a white scar running across the back of her right rib cage, and she has had 20 other moles removed since she was first diagnosed with melanoma. "To me, being tan is not worth losing my life over," Leitz stated, "I'm going to be pale and that's who I am."  The Foundation wishes her the best as she competes on the national level for the coveted Miss America title.

Race Director and JMNMF Chairman

Greg Safko, "Tri-to-Win" Triathlon Race Director (l) and Bob Nicolay, JMNMF Chairman, enjoy a brief break together under the "Finish" line banner in between racers in the Inaugural triathlon benefiting the Foundation.  Over $10,000 was raised to aid in the JMNMF mission of "prevention, detection, care and cure!"

 

More Race Snapshots                                             View Race Results

 

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Sponsors are an invaluable partner to host the many amenities and race support activities -- we are very pleased at the broad show of support for the 2006 "Tri-to-Win" Triathlon.  Let us take this opportunity to thank our sponsors at the variety of levels of support.  Below, please use the sponsor logos as hotlinks for direct access to full sponsor websites and contact information.  The Foundation encourages everyone to support the businesses of our 2006 "Tri-to-Win" Triathlon Sponsors!

                                                                     

Freedom Fitness
Tracy Cox
410-795-9101
TLCabc123@aol.com

Elements of Style
Paris Cimino
410-795-9465
http://www.elementsofstylesalon.com/

Lutherville Bike Shop
Fran
410-583-1127
410-583-8734
www.luthervillebikeshop.com


Race Snapshots
 

The starting line for the race is always filled with the excitement of promise, performance and expectations for every athlete, whether conditioned from months of training for the "Tri-to-Win" event or simply participating to support a "great" cause.

 As with any race, enthusiastic spectators are vital to provide motivation and support – the "Tri-to-Win" finish and starting areas were jammed with the calls and clapping of family and friends.
   

Transition #1 departing the bike corral leads race participants away from the pool event and out onto the "rolling" and rural roads of southern Carroll County, MD.

Swimming 400 meters in a competitive race situation provides ample excitement and work for both the lap counter volunteers and the racers who did their best to finish the first leg of the triathlon.
 

Cheerful and capable volunteers are a necessary component to a successful event and the race morning check-in brought out the best in the "Tri-to-Win"crew – a hearty thanks to all volunteers.

Check-in poolside was as busy an area to be found on race morning –  the volunteer role here was pivotal to expedite the race, as well as to assure and motive anxious racers soon to start their first leg of the event.
 

Racing from the sun suggests the theme for the race, "Tri-to-Win…the fight against melanoma!"  Everyone involved in this event – racer participants, volunteers, sponsors, families, friends, media, and, even motorists and homeowners along the race route, were part of the larger mission of the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation to be "the voice for melanoma prevention, detection, care and cure."  The Foundation heartily and appreciably thanks all involved – we look forward to seeing you next year! 

 

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