All women’s event a fundraiser for cancer support groups
The race may have a different name and leadership, but the tradition of helping those in need will continue on Saturday, July 21 when scores of athletes toe the starting line in the Sonoma Women’s Triathlon.
Formerly known as Barb’s Tri, the Sonoma Women’s Triathlon will offer athletes a variety of triathlon race distances, including an Olympic distance race (.93 mile swim, 27.9 mile bike, 6.2 mile run), and a Sprint distance (.5 mile swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run). The event will also include a duathlon (27.9 mile bike, 6.2 mile run), and an Aqua Bike (.93 mile swim, 27.9 mile bike).
The race route includes picturesque stretches of Sonoma County back roads, starting and finishing at Veteran’s Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. Last year’s race raised an estimated $33,000 toward cancer research.
Adam Ray of Scena Performance returns to serve as race director, along with a big assist from his wife Allison, a former Olympic Canadian rowing coach. Also heavily involved in the race is Skip Brand of the Healdsburg Running Club. The event is sponsored by Bellwether Farms.
“Everything is largely the same as last year, with the same cancer support and same courses more or less,” Ray said. “We had our course preview last weekend, which was a blast. It’s a great women’s-focused event and it will find its place. I’m a strong believer, especially in a world where Ironman takes up so much attention,” he added.
Swan song
Barb’s Tri, named for Healdsburg resident and two-time cancer survivor Barbara Recchia, was an incarnation of Barb’s Race, which was contested for 15 years as part of the Vineman series of races. Over the years, the event raised nearly $1 million in the fight against cancer. Earlier this year, Recchia announced she was stepping down in her affiliation with the race.
“I carried the mantle for Barb’s Race under Vineman for 15 years and for last year’s Barb’s Tri, but I feel it’s time to pass this honor on to someone else,” she said. “It has very much been an honor but I’m now 18 years past my diagnosis and know that even good things come to an end.”
Like its predecessors, proceeds from the Sonoma Triathlon will go to benefit the Sutter Institute for Health and Healing in Santa Rosa. The organization offers physical, emotional and spiritual care and comfort for cancer patients to relieve the effects of their treatment.
Registration is open until the end of the week and includes a minimum fundraising requirement for each participating athlete.
