Medina Recreation Center hosts fourth annual triathlon

MEDINA — Around 70 athletes swam, biked and ran as part of the Medina Recreation Center's fourth annual triathlon in partnership with North Coast Multisports on Sunday. Competitors started the triathlon by swimming in the rec center pool and moved onto biking on a stationary bike before finishing the event out by running around the track. Instead of doing the entire triathlon, participants had the option of only doing the biking and running part of the event. Medina Rec Center Program Manager Steve Frantz said athletes did each exercise for 20-minutes and then had a five-minute transition between activities. "They do as much as they can," he said. "It's not like an outdoor one where there's a finish line. At the end, we calculate their mileage, so how far they swam, how far they biked and how far they ran, and then there is one number at the end for their miles." One wave for Sunday's triathlon consisted exclusively of youth competitors. Frantz said the ages of the athletes competing ranged from as young as eight to senior citizens in their 70s and 80s. "We do have winners, but ultimately, it's for fun," he said. "We do have awards for the top winners in the (biking and running race), triathlon and the youth waves." The rec center's triathlon started because it is too cold outside for athletes to be biking and swimming outdoors at this time of year, Frantz said. "In the winter, it is perfect for these athletes to be able to come inside," he said. "It is a fun Sunday morning. We just want people to be active, and this is a great opportunity." Frantz said one of the rec center's next big events is its touch-a-truck in April, and it will continue its Party in the Parks program this summer. To see a list of upcoming events at the rec center, visit tinyurl.com/59wb2485. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.