Triathlon sparks fitness, strikes back at cancer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Approximately 60 Golden Bears participated in the Gotta Tri Triathlon hosted by the 60th Force Support Squadron Fitness Center June 28 throughout base.

The event started at the Aquatic Center and began with a 500-meter swim. The participants then transitioned from the pool to a 12-mile bike ride that led out onto Perimeter Road and turned around at the far side of the flightline. Finally, the last challenge was a 3.6-mile route that ran in front of 60th Air Mobility Wing headquarters, out to perimeter road and back to the Aquatic Center.

"The purpose of this was to offer a fun, but challenging event where people can be pushed physically," said Staff Sgt. Monica Sieser, 60th FSS special events coordinator. "The most challenging part was trying to start on time, which we did and once we started, everything flowed smoothly."

Master Sgt. Dustin Diede, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, placed first overall male with a completion time of 65 minutes 47 seconds. Katie Myszka placed first overall female with a completion time of 69:04. The first place team overall was composed of Capt. Thomas Fletcher, Capt. Kyle Klein and Capt. Christopher Adams all from the 22nd Airlift Squadron.

One team in particular stood out in their gray colored T-shirts adorned with the words cancer survivor and a blue ribbon with wings.

The cancer survivor team was led by Tech. Sgt. David Lopez and he was joined by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Swift and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Benitez all from the 60th Security Forces Squadron. "The triathlon was an awesome event. It was great that Travis would put on such an event, but let me tell you, the swim will definitely make you humble," said Benitez said.

Benitez and Swift both said that a great deal of motivation to participate in this event was encouraged by Lopez.

"He just recently recovered from cancer and seeing him out there biking every day is truly inspiring and motivating," Benitez said. "When he asked if I wanted to swim for him, I
could not turn down the offer."

"When Tech. Sgt. Lopez called me up asking if I would like to participate on his team for the triathlon, I gladly accepted," Swift said. "I had never participated in this type of event. Thankfully, it was a team effort and we got to contribute our best performance for each other."