In what was likely the last Valparaiso Triathlon — at least in the foreseeable future — two triathletes who had never won the 14-year event took home first-place trophies.
Portage’s Tim Huber and Star City’s Shanna Bonnell competed in their fourth career Valparaiso Triathlon, but neither had won before last Saturday.
Last year, Huber finished second to Jordan Bailey, another Portage graduate. But Bailey, a six-time winner at Valparaiso, was competing in a triathlon in Wisconsin, so Huber took advantage with a winning time of 58:09.
Then the realization hit him that it could be the last time he could be competing in a triathlon in Valparaiso.
“When I heard the news that this year will be the last year for the event, I was definitely taken by surprise,” Huber said. “This event is always a great time for all triathletes, whether they are new to the sport or experienced.
“This is the one local race that myself and two fellow triathletes, Adam Sandberg and Kevin Mangel, would always battle it out year after year for our age group title. This race is where it had all started for me — the first triathlon of my career. Therefore, it has always been a little special for me. I will miss this event, as I’m sure the community will as well.”
Bonnell also took advantage of the absence of Chris Wickard, a Crown Point native who had won eight of the previous 13 Valpo Triathlons. Bonnell’s time of 1:10:44 was almost a minutes better than runner-up Samantha Sutherland.
“My best finish prior to this year was seventh with a time of 1:14,” Bonnell said. “I’m sorry to hear this was the last year. I’ve really enjoyed competing in this event. I hope they will have this triathlon (back) in the future.”
There was some speculation that maybe the event could return. But if it does, it looks like it won’t be held by the Valparaiso Parks Department.
“Thanks for 14 years of Valpo Triathlons. We are grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, staff and participants who have made the Valpo Triathlon a safe and exciting event for the greater Valparaiso community,” John Seibert, the Valparaiso Parks Department director, said in a press release. “Valpo Parks has been privileged to be a leading partner in organizing and providing this event for all 14 years.”
The press release went on to explain three reasons for discontinuing the triathlon: declining attendance (from 500 in 2004 to 230 this year), the amount of parks programs stretching staff and resources, and Rogers-Lakewood Park being in part of “a five-year master plan” of improvements and construction to the lake and park itself.
Other race results: For the second straight year, Lowell senior-to-be Hunter Boyer finished runner-up in his hometown race, last Saturday’s 18th annual Buckley 5-Miler. This time, he finished about a minute behind Portage’s Lucas Sullivan. The top female finisher was Valparaiso’s Chrys Davis, who took second last year. The runner-up female was Hunter’s sister, Jordyn, who will be a sophomore at Lowell.
Johnny Gorches is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
