7th annual triathlon: T-Bolts swim, ride, run

Lezlee Volk runs the 5k, the final event, in the Luke Air Force Base Fall Triathlon Saturday at Luke. Along with the 5k, competitors swam 400 meters and biked 11.4 miles. The Luke AFB Outdoor Recreation Center has hosted the fall triathlon for seven years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota)

7th annual triathlon: T-Bolts swim, ride, run

Published Sept. 9, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Luke Air Force Base held its seventh annual fall triathlon with 59 participants competing for the win.

The fall triathlon consisted of three events, each timed by personal cycling event promotion timers strapped to the ankle of each competitor.

The first event, a 400-meter swim, took place at the Silver Wings Pool. Time began at the starting line before the competitors entered the water to swim eight laps.

After the swim, participant's timers were paused until they crossed the next starting line for the 13.1-mile bike race around the base. They had the option to change into dry clothing to prepare for the cycling event.

The bike route began at the pool, went through base housing and back to the 56th Fighter Wing Headquarters building. From there bikers took to Perimeter Road skirting the airfield and returned to the pool to begin the last event.

The third event was a 5k run from the base pool to the Red Tail display at the 944th Fighter Wing headquarters and to the track where they completed the miles.

To determine an overall winner, the competition was broken into six divisions: open male, male over 40, open female, female over 40, teams and overall. The times from each event for each participant were added up, giving them a time and position in the competition.

"It was a great event to build camaraderie," said David Lemery, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "It was a little warm, but I'm glad the base put it together."

The 56th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation Center manager expressed his satisfaction with the success of the event.

"It's always a lot of fun to host events such as this, especially with the pool being open," said Sam Harvey. "We had 59 people participate this year, and we hope to get even more people involved next year."