More than 270 participants gathered in Clarkston Sunday, Aug. 8 to take part in the Craig Greenfield Memorial Tri/Du. This was the city’s first triathalon and a fund-raiser for the Michigan Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
‘It was fabulous. The weather was perfect and the water temperature was perfect,? Eileen Bullen, event co-chair, said.
Although final totals were not available at the time of press, event co-chair Corey Greenfield estimated $8,000-$10,000 was raised for the society.
‘We didn’t think we were going to make anything the first year,? Greenfield said.
The event, limited to 300 people, received praise from its participants, some of whom traveled across the country to attend.
‘I’ve been training forever,? Brian Segerlind, triathalon competitor, said. ‘It’s nice to get out and do a race.?
The unusually-cool temperatures that morning added to the success of the race.
‘I thought this flowed very well,? Bullen said.
The event wasn’t just for seasoned athletes. Many individuals from around the community came out to try a triathalon or duathalon for the very first time.
‘This is the first one I’ve done,? Bret Darling, triathalon competitor, said. ‘There’s a big one coming up in Chicago at the end of the month, so this is a warm up.?
Helping staff the event were members of the Clarkston Police Department, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department and a crew of local volunteers, many who just showed up the morning of the event to lend a hand.
‘People just showed up the morning of,? Bullen said of the caring volunteer brigade.
According to volunteer coordinator Renee Weaver-Wright, about 60 volunteers were present on the day of the race.
‘It was really fun,? Weaver-Wright said.
Greenfield was very pleased with all of the support the event received from Clarkston and Independence Township to make it a success.
The course, which was not closed to traffic, traveled its way around the Clarkston area. No injuries were reported from participants.
At the conclusion of the race, event coordinators hosted a barbeque in downtown Clarkston to celebrate the event’s success. Rudy’s Market donated all the hamburgers and hot dogs for the hungry athletes and Cook’s Dairy made sure to have plenty of ice cream on hand.
‘I loved it all, the whole thing,? Bullen said.
With such a positive end result and reception from participants, the event will take place again next year.
‘Everybody was really pleased,? Greenfield said.