Military & Civilian Athletes Compete in 2015 Leon’s Triathlon

leons worlds fastest triathlon 2014-5Wolf Lake Memorial Park in Hammond, Ind., played backdrop to the annual Leon’s Triathlon on Sunday, June 7. The triathlon, a nationally broadcast event, allowed military and civilian athletes to swim, bike and run their way through Northwest Indiana.

This year’s race brought more than 400 athletes from across the nation to the region to compete in the race. On Saturday, June 6, race participants and visitors were able to try out the latest technology in triathlon gear during Demo Day. The expo also included an injured military clinic hosted by Chicago-based nonprofit Dare2tri.

New to Leon’s Triathlon in 2015 was the addition of the U.S. Armed Forces Military Triathlon National Championship. Each branch chose their top military team members to compete at Leon’s Triathlon. Winners of the Armed Forces triathlon in Hammond will represent the United States Armed Forces at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) Military World Games in South Korea October 2-11, 2015.

U.S. Armed Forces Men’s Triathlon Team – 6th CISM Military World Games Open Division Lt. Kyle Hooker (Navy), NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. (1:51:24) Capt. Nicholas Sterghos (Army), Fort Sill, Okla. (1:52:50) 1st Lt. Barrett Lehardy (Army), Fort Eustis, Va. (1:53:04) 2nd Lt. Cody Bohachek (USAF), Fort Wayne, Ind. (1:54:23) Ensign Clay Petty (Navy), US Naval Academy, Md. (1:55:24) Maj. James Bales (USAF), Nellis AFB, Nev. (1:56:30)

Master's Division (40 yrs & older) Maj. Jonathan Mason (USAF) Fort Bragg, N.C. (1:58:28) Maj. Eric Reid (Army), JB Lewis-McChord, Wash. (2:00:07) Lt. Col. David Steele (USMC), Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2:03:42)

U.S. Armed Forces Wommen’s Triathlon Team – 6th CISM Military World Games Open Division 2nd Lt. Samone Franzese (Army), Fort Sam Houston, Texas (2:13:15) 2nd Lt. Jessica Clay(Army), Camp Casey, Republic of Korea (2:16:29) 2nd Lt. Justine Emge (Army), Fort Rucker, Ala. (2:18:26) Lt. j.g. Jessica Hafey (Navy), NB San Diego, Calif. (2:18:47) Capt. Christine Taranto (USMC), NPS Monterey, Calif. (2:18:57) Capt. Stephanie Mitchell (USAF), Fort Meade, Md. (2:20:05)

Master's Division (35 yrs & older) Maj. Jamie Turner (USAF), JB Charleston, S.C. (2:15:28) Maj. Judith Coyle (USAF), JB Lewis-McChord, Wash. (2:19:58)

All civilian athletes in the 2015 Leon’s Triathlon participated in a modified sprint-distance triathlon, which included a .33-mile swim, a 10.5-mile biking portion and a 3.1-mile run.

The Amateur Male winners of the race were: Ryan Giuliano of Oakwood Hills, Ill., in first (49:38); Alex Arman of Saint Charles, Ill., in second (50:04); and Christian Waterstraat of Naperville, Ill., in third (50:34). The Amateur Female winners of the race were: Jennifer Garrison of Naperville, Ill., in first 54:00); Jacqui Giuliano of Oakwood Hills, Ill., in second (56:28); and Megan James of Portage, Mich., in third (56:31).

For a full list of winners and times of Leon’s Triathlon participants, visit results.active.com/event_collections/leon-s-world-s-fastest-triathlon/2015/expanded.