To the editor:

The fourth annual Twin Lakes Youth Triathlon was held on Aug. 8.

The 15th annual Half-Olympic Distance Triathlon and eighth annual Duathlon was held on Aug. 14.

Both events were a tremendous success.

A total of 158 individuals participated: 47 adults in triathlon, 26 in duathlon, 18 on teams and 67 youth.

Athletes represented eight states: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and South Dakota; and 38 different towns in Iowa.

Forty-one percent of the participants were female and 59 percent were male.

There were 67 athletes from Fort Dodge, Twin Lakes, and the surrounding communities of Fonda, Lytton, Manson, Newell, Pocahontas, Pomeroy and Rockwell City.

Complete results for both the adult and youth events can be found at https://results.truetimeracing.com/results.aspx?CId=16535&RId=741

We would not be able to put on a professional event and still raise money for the youth at the Twin Lakes Bible Camp without the financial support of our sponsors: Gold: Baker Electric, Pathways Counseling Center- Cherokee, Youth Tribe. Silver: Amigos, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Fort Dodge Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Gunderson Funeral Home, Jensen Builders, KHI Solutions, Northwest Bank (FD), Rynovelo Bike Shop, Shelly Orthodontics, Shimkat Motors, United Bank of Iowa (Fort Dodge, Pocahontas, Rockwell City). Bronze: Active Health, Anytime Fitness, Aramark, Calvert & Johnson Ins., Decker Truck Lines, First Community Bank – Newell, Josephson Manufacturing, Newell Farms, Rittger’s Spine and Wellness, RoJohn Home Improvement, Traditions at the Lil’ Store.

We appreciate the support of the sports department at The Messenger who published articles and photos of the triathlon and duathlon.

We would also like to express our thanks to the 100-plus volunteers who helped at the events – the volunteers are the key to the success of this event.

Two of this year’s participants commented: Tricia Gargano, Humboldt, said “Wow! This was a great race! It was my first one. The workers/volunteers did such a great job encouraging and directing us.” Tom Maxwell, Iowa City, said: “I wanted to share how much I enjoy participating in the event. The volunteers that make this all happen are tremendous and give it such great energy.”

Twin Lakes Triathlon/Duathlon

Committee

Scott Larsen, Twin Lakes Bible Camp

Pat and Rick Bennett, of Twin Lakes