September 5, 2001 Issue

2nd Annual "Girls' Triathlon Enjoyed By "30 Something Friends"

“Just to say we can”, was all that Lori Leahy said when asked “Why” five seemingly normal ladies would put themselves through three hours of gruelling physical activity on a hot summer afternoon.

The “30 Something” girls are shown in the photo just before crossing the finish line in the front yard of the Hurst house on Onwatin Lake. From the left we have, Leanne Bentley, Edie Boyd, Lori Leahy, Christine Hurst and Tracy Goddard-Tilbury. All of the girls are from Valley East with the exception of Leanne, a friend who hails from Manitoulin Island.

“Last year we decided to get together for some fun and since we all like the outdoors, we organized a triathlon,” explained Christine, while enjoying some cool refreshment in the tent along the sandy beach after the event. “When we told some of our friends what we were going to do they said we were crazy, so it became a matter of proving that we could do it. And now we plan on “doing it” every year at the same time.”

The Triathlon includes a 30 minute swim in Joe Lake; a 14 kilometre bike ride; and a 1 ½ hour long walk/run to the finish line. The entire route takes approximately three hours and was followed by a barbecue, sauna, swim and an evening of relaxation along the beach. All of this without any husbands or children in site. For the girls, it is considered a small price to pay for a day with the girls, and ranks right up there with a day at a spa.

Lori, who is now talking about entering a full marathon, even took swimming lessons so she could participate with her friends in the event. They also get together during the winter for a ski and snowboard weekend.

“Next year we may open up the event to other girls in the area as a fund-raiser,” stated Edie. “This is so much fun we may as well let others in on it with us.”

“It’s all about participation,” claimed Tracy. “We keep ourselves in pretty good shape so it is nice to see that we can actually accomplish the goals we set for ourselves in the Triathlon.

Leanne stated, “Even though I’m not a “Valley Girl” like the rest, they make me feel right at home. I guess you just have to have Northern blood.”

While the event will hardly receive national coverage as a world class triathlon, there was something special about sitting on the front porch of the Hurst home, watching Christine and Lori claw their way through the bushes across the street as they emerged from their cross-country walk. And seeing the girls arm-in-arm under the birch trees at the finish line made a statement about how important friends can be, regardless of your age.

The Vision Paper congratulates the “Girls’ Triathlon” group and all other groups of friends in the community who “get together” for good wholesome fun from time to time. Perhaps this is what Valley East is really about - friends, caring about each other and doing things together!