Wayne Marty of Le Mars, (right) with his grand-daughter after competing in the 2016 Le Mars YMCA Sprint Tri-athon.
(Le Mars) — Competitors from several states will converge on Le Mars Saturday morning for the eleventh annual Sprint Tri-athon consisting of a 300 yard swim, a 15 mile out and back bicycle ride and a 5k run. One of those planning to participate is 85 year old Wayne Marty of Le Mars. Marty, a retired biology
professor from Westmar College, has participated, including this year, in ten of the eleven Sprint Tri-athons. This year, Marty says he will participate as a team, joining his daughter and grand-daughter.
Up until last year, Marty had participated on all three aspects of the Sprint Triathon. Marty is, if not the oldest participant, certainly one of the oldest to compete in the athletic event. Marty offered an interesting answer, when asked what he has been doing to prepare himself for this year’s competition.
Marty says he hopes to complete the 15 mile bicycle run in about an hour and a half, but he adds he is not as much interested in having a good time as listed on the clock, as he is as having an enjoyable time.
So, how many more years does Marty believe he will continue to participate on the Le Mars YMCA’s Sprint Tri-athon?
The elder athlete says the younger generation of athletes constantly encourages him, and cheer for him while he participates on the Sprint Tri-athon. Marty reflects on what first got him interested in competing in the Sprint Tri-athon,
and says it has evolved into a family participation event.
What keeps the 85 year old Le Mars man healthy and capable of participating in the Sprint Triathon?
The Sprint Tri-athon will begin from the Le Mars YMCA at 9:00 a.m. with the swimming portion kicking off the competition at the outdoor pool, followed by the bicycle ride, and finishing with the run through the southern residential neighborhood.
