Triathlon brings new fun to athletes

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Debralee Lutgen | Camp Arifjan, KUWAIT - Swimmers began competing just as the sun began to peak over the horizon at the Desert Blaze Triathlon. The event consisted of a 200-meter swim, 12.6-k bike and 5-k run.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

06.26.2006

Courtesy Story

11th Public Affairs Detachment

Camp Arifjan, KUWAIT " As the sun peaked over the horizon swimmers stripped to their suits, bikers lined up their bikes and runners stretched their legs.

They were all preparing for a competition that depended on teamwork and tenacity.

After three months of planning, 48 three-person teams competed in the Desert Blaze Triathlon held to celebrate the Army birthday. The event consisted of a 200-meter swim, 12.6-k bike and 5-k run.
Team 16 won the event in 52:46.

The team was made up of runner Robert Adams, swimmer Beth Diaz and biker Heath Papkov. Adams finished with an event best-run time of 17:16. Team 11 finished in second place, only 12 seconds behind with a time of 52:58. The third-place team, Team 37, finished in 53:08 with the event's top biker, Eric Cintron, on their team coming in at 23:52. The first- place swimmer, Paul Hokett, finished in 2:48, but his team didn't place in the top three.

"When we first thought of it no one had done one before. We liked the idea of having a team competition with teams that are small and easy to put together," said Tyler Oliver, deputy event coordinator. "In other competitions, like basketball and volleyball, you have to get nine people together and sometimes that's difficult to do."

The coordinators had a little difficulty with the competition because of the attendance.

"I was very surprised with the turn out," Oliver said. "We thought there would be 20 teams so we planned for 30."
Although it caused some headaches, the event was seen as a success.

"I'm very happy with how it went. The majority of the competitors had a good time," Oliver said. "It was very fulfilling, personally, to see how it turned out."

The competitors also said they were happy with the outcome of the competition.

"All of the teams had a lot of spirit and the volunteers were very helpful," said Team 11 swimmer Olivia Zimmerman. "It was a good atmosphere."

Although competing individually was a desire for some competitors, the weather prevented that possibility.
"It's too hot in the summer," Oliver said. "Maybe that could be a possibility in the winter."

The third-place team, consisted of runner Sharif Faruque, biker Cintron and swimmer Edith Greene, said they were happy to participate.

"Our team didn't go out there to win or place. We just went out to have fun and get the T-shirt," Cintron said.

The team was amazed to find out they placed, according to Cintron. He was told by the event coordinator, and when he told his team they thought he was joking.

Team 11 members, runner Kelly Gibson, biker Shaun Mistlebaur
and swimmer Zimmerman, also shared in the surprise of winning second place.

"We had a great biker and runner, but we didn't think we"d come in second," Zimmerman said. "Everyone performed really well on my team. They had a lot of heart."

This is Zimmerman's second triathlon. Her first was a few months ago at the 1st Personnel Command Triathlon. Her team earned second place in that competition as well.

"There were a lot more teams in this one," she said. "I also think we were one of the only teams with two female competitors."
Papkov said he was surprised to win based on the talent he saw on the other teams.

"There were some very good teams out there and it was the first time I had rode a bike on this base in more than 10 months," Papkov said.

According to Papkov, Team 16 was well-rounded which contributed to their win.

"I truly believe that we had a well-balanced team for each event," he said. "We knew that we had one of the best runners in the competition. We just had to make sure that our biking and swim times would allow our runner to have a chance to win the competition."

Papkov said he has competed in other events, but contributes placing in this one to his teammates striving to win.

"I have competed in several marathons and one triathlon, but this is the first time I have ever taken first place in one of these types of competitions," he said.

He added, "My teammates really did a phenomenal job of pushing themselves to success."

• Date Taken: 06.26.2006
• Date Posted: 06.26.2006 11:36
• Story ID: 6957
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW