By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Aug. 18, the CNY Triathlon Club will present the 19th annual Cazenovia Triathlon and Aquabike.
This year, the competition will feature sprint and intermediate-distance triathlon, relay and aquabike races.
The sprint division triathlon will include an 800-meter swim, a 14-mile bike and a 5K run.
Athletes competing in the intermediate division will complete a 1500-meter swim, a 25-mile bike and a 10K run.
The aquabike races will combine the first two legs of the triathlon, eliminating the running portion of the event.
All races will begin at Lakeside Park on East Lake Road. The event will conclude with awards and post-race festivities for participants and volunteers.
The Cazenovia Triathlon and Aquabike event follows the rules of USA Triathlon — the national governing body for the sport of triathlon. To learn about the rules, visit teamusa.org/usa.
According to CNY Triathlon Club President Sam Sampere, the Cazenovia race was started at a time when the sport was in its infancy.
“Triathlon hadn’t grown in popularity yet,” Sampere said. “[Cazenovia] had a nice clean body of water to swim in that we were actually allowed to use for a race. Back then, it was difficult to get permission to race in lakes, but Caz was willing to work with the club and we’ve had it there ever since.”
Sampere believes that small, local races like the Cazenovia Triathlon are critical to the continuation of the sport.
“Triathlon has seen an ebb and flow as far as popularity goes,” he said. “It really exploded in this area when the Syracuse [Ironman 70.3] triathlon and Iron Girl came to town. That lasted for a few years and then we saw the popularity decrease. Now, those races are gone and we are left — in this area anyway — with small, local races. That’s what fuels our sport right now.”
According to Sampere, the survival of the Cazenovia Triathlon is due in large part to the support of the town and village.
“[Cazenovia] does a lot to help the club out as far as staging the race,” he said. “If that support disappeared, the race would disappear.”
This year, Sampere expects to see around 400 athletes at the event.
“I get a bit nervous before any race, but being able to complete a triathlon in Cazenovia makes it more relaxing,” said Cazenovia resident Mary Jo LaFever. “It is a challenging course but the CNY Triathlon Club and all the volunteers make it a great event.”
LaFever is one of 20-plus Cazenovians to have participated in the 2018 event.
She completed her first Cazenovia Triathlon in 2016 and has participated each year since.
This year, LaFever will compete in the sprint triathlon alongside her husband and two of their children. Meanwhile, the couple’s third child will be volunteering at the finish line.
“The fact that this event is in our town is great,” LaFever said.
“My family and I get to train on the course all the time and the bike and run [routes] take us by the houses of many people we know. Since it’s in town, my mom gets to come and watch along with friends and neighbors.”
Formed in 2000, the CNY Triathlon Club is dedicated to strengthening and advancing the sport of triathlon.
The volunteer organization is operated and led by the club members and supported by its members and sponsors.
According to Sampere, the group is soon to become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to support healthy living in the community.
“The CNY Triathlon Club is a great resource for anyone interested in triathlons,” said LaFever.
“For a very low annual fee, they offer training sessions in the summer and they have a winter training facility for biking. The group includes many coaches and triathletes who are always willing to help another triathlete and those interested in the sport.”
To learn more about the CNY Triathlon Club or to register for the event, visit cnytriathlon.org. Registration ends Aug. 12 at 11:59 p.m.
