CULLMAN – On Saturday, The Link of Cullman County held its third annual Reverse the Cycle Sprint Triathlon, with 118 athletes competing for first place.
The event, including swimming, biking and running, was held throughout Smith Lake Park and along nearby roads, such as County Road 813.
According to Dawn Owens, executive director of The Link, the event was smaller in 2016 than in years past.
“From what we’re understanding, the sprint triathlon trend is decreasing,” she said. “We don’t know if that’s people getting into other types of races. But, we have heard that there is another race in another community that is going to be shutting down, so we hope in the next few years we will be picking some of those (athletes) up.”
Saturday’s triathlon, like all events held by The Link, helped raise funds to break the cycle of poverty.
“This event is no different than any other, in that it helps to support all of the services we provide,” Owens said. “But it also helps to bring our community together in a different way. We love this event because it gets our kids involved too.”
Owens said that this particular event is special because during the competition, the athletes mirror what those who are being helped by The Link experience.
“In this event, the runners and athletes are really kind of mimicking what our folks go through,” she said. “People who are in poverty are constantly struggling to get up that day, to do what they need to do. And our athletes in training are doing the same thing to get out there and be courageous and brave.”
Owens said that one of the main reasons that she and The Link continue to hold this event is that health and wellness are a big part of what they do.
“We try to help people understand that, holistically, you need to grow. And this is just another way for us to try to model,” she said.
Before The Link began hosting this event, there was no sprint triathlon in Cullman.
Although the event was filled with athletes sprinting, swimming and running, some were simply there for support and to enjoy the beautiful day.
“We’re here, we come every year, because of the great atmosphere,” said Shelly West of Good Hope. “I mean, if it’s a good day, you really can’t beat being out here with folks working hard and enjoying it with friends and family, you know?”
To see a full list of winners from Saturday’s triathlon, see http://qrne.ws/results.
For more information on The Link of Cullman County, visit http://linkingcullman.org/.
