Few sporting events actually transcend the athletic arena, providing hope and inspiration to so many while testing mind and body in the process.
Barb’s Race, formerly the only all-women’s half triathlon distance contested in the world, did just that for 15 years before the rights to the race were sold to Ironman last October.
Named for longtime Healdsburg resident and two-time cancer survivor Barbara Recchia, the race was run in conjunction with the Vineman Triathon each July, raising nearly $1 million for local cancer support groups.
Following the sale of the Vineman brand last year, Barb’s Race was dealt a crushing blow when Ironman announced it had no plans to reschedule the event.
“When I knew Barb’s Race was coming to an end it was very sad for me and it definitely left a void,” Recchia said. “Not being able to support the organizations that were providing support to cancer patients was very difficult for me.”
Help as it turned out, was just around the corner, as the Healdsburg Running Club (HRC) joined forces with Scena Performance to resurrect the race in a new form and location.
On Saturday, race organizers, athletes and supporters came together for an informal kickoff event in Healdsburg, announcing the creation of Barb’s Tri, an all-women’s triathlon which will make its debut in Healdsburg on July 22, 2017.
“We’ve had great support so far from the community, and I’ve received dozens of emails thanking us for bringing the race back,” race director Adam Ray noted. “People realize what an important event it is.”
Barb’s Tri will offer female 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). Each race will start and finish at Memorial Beach.
Like Barb’s Race, Barb’s Tri will also include a minimum fundraising requirement for each participating athlete, roughly equal to the registration fee.
Race organizers of the Barb’s Tri kickoff event, including Recchia, Adam Ray of Scena Performance, and Skip Brand of the HRC, gave attendees a sneak preview of things to come.
“After we introduced the event, the folks attending got to check out the new course,” Recchia said. “Some folks were led on a swim by Adam from Scena, Liz from Spoke Folk led a bike ride, and Skip from the HRC led the runners. I was excited to see some of my good friends come out to support the new event and was thrilled for the interest.”
Representatives from Sutter’s Institute for Health and Healing, soon to be the main beneficiary of the newly formed race, were on hand to enjoy the event. The organization, which received roughly two-thirds of the proceeds from Barb’s Race, offers physical, emotional and spiritual care and comfort for cancer patients to relieve the effects of their treatment.
In a year that began with disappointment and uncertainty following the loss of Barb’s Race, Recchia hardly skipped a beat in her selfless roles as race organizer, volunteer, and most importantly, inspirational leader.
“I was so thrilled that Skip Brand from HRC was insistent that Barb’s Race continue — he was instrumental in making the connections to make it happen,” Recchia noted. “Our Saturday event, thanks to Adam and Skip, made it real and was a perfect kickoff for next year’s Barb’s Tri. I’m so looking forward to raising money once again to support people with a cancer diagnosis.”
To register for Barb’s Tri 2017 or to make a donation, visit the race website at www.barbstri.com.
