Nearly 9,000 Compete Across Chicago Triathlon Weekend

This weekend, 8,904 triathletes representing 48 states and 22 countries gathered in Chicago to compete in the 37th annual Life Time Chicago Triathlon. Rough waters forced organizers to cancel the swim and replace it with a .75-mile run. Other than the surf, weather conditions were ideal with sunshine and a light breeze.

In the men’s international distance division, Benjamin Stone of Fort Wayne, Ind. took first place with a time of 01:39:57. “I’m a swimmer so I was a little upset about the swim being canceled, but you make the best of it,” said Stone. “I decided from the beginning I would go fast, that I wanted to get on the podium, and I guess it worked out.”

In the women’s international distance division, Jacqueline Godbe of Chicago, Ill. claimed the first-place title with a time of 1:46:03. “I came into the sport as a swimmer, but safety is safety, and today I got to try a new race,” said Godbe. “That’s what a triathlon is all about, you adjust and adapt to the conditions.”

The supersprint distance and kids triathlon took place Saturday, Aug. 24 with kids as young as five competing at Foster Avenue Beach. Adults participated in one of three distances over the two days: international (.75-mile run, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run), sprint (.75-mile run, 15-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run) or supersprint (.23-mile swim, 6.2-mile bike, and 1.5-mile run).