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Wauconda becomes proving ground for three racers who go by the name "Grandmother" |
by Josh Van Dyke |
Athletes from Wauconda and beyond got a chance to prove their worth on July 26th at a triathlon ran by the Wauconda Park district. The overall winner was McHenry resident Mark Wachendorf, who clocked in with a time of one hour and five minutes. But for many on the course it wasn't about beating their opponents.
"You don't have to be so competitive," said Mary Anne Greco, a resident of Island Lake. The swimmer in a trio that happily calls itself "The Three Gs," she finished her part of the course late but is still proud of her accomplishment
. Part of the reason she and her teammates are satisfied is they have an average age of 72. Greco didn't offer her exact age, and neither did her teammates bicycle-rider Valerie Ulrich (Burlington, Wisconsin) and sprinter Carol Wisnewski (Wauconda), but they were the oldest participants. They said that crossing the finishing line and hearing the cheering of onlookers and race staff members was very satisfying.
"I feel better and stronger and tougher than when I was 50," said Ulrich, noting that the cheering of the staff members and audience members helped her keep going. "They just make you feel so good."
All three of the team members plan on returning in upcoming years.
About 303 competitors, including teams of two or three as one entry, participated in the race. Starting at the public beach near Lindy's Landing, the event started with a half-mile swim across through Bang's Lake. Getting to land at the Park District's docks across the street from Wauconda High School, racers then had a 15 mile bike course bordering the town of Wauconda. After that they finished the trip with a 3 mile sprint.
After the race participants received awards, ate some food provided by the park district, and could even get a massage.