Third annual Courage Triathlon named huge success

September 5, 2017September 6, 2017 Ashley Grogan, Sports Editor

Kristen Runyan, front, Adam Runyan, left, and Erica Osborn each compete as individuals in the third annual Courage Triathlon. Photo by Ashley Grogan

The third annual Courage Triathlon was held on Aug. 26 with start and finish lines at the Plumas Pines Resort on Lake Almanor.

The triathlon consisting of a 2.8-mile run, 7.1-mile bike and 4.1-mile kayak saw more than 150 participants as 79 individuals and 28 teams competed in the fundraiser for Courage Worldwide.

Courage Worldwide is an organization working to end child sex trafficking as well as aid the victims of the unfortunate epidemic. All of the proceeds from the triathlon were donated to the organization.

In addition to the participants of the triathlon, the event had more than 115 volunteers that helped ensure the triathlon ran smoothly and became an event to remember.

Dawn Hershberger, local Courage Ambassador, said the amount of people who made the event successful was overwhelming. She commented, “The life blood behind the Courage Triathlon (are) the triathlon coordinator Joanne Vice, volunteer coordinator Randy Hewitt, operation commander Chris Hallmark, photo media coordinator Aaron Durksen and Doug Cain DJ.”

In addition to the specified individuals, Hershberger commented that she was “very humbled and overwhelmed with the caliber of CCC staff that helped this event stand out to the state and beyond that we fight for our kids.”

Though many participants were local, Hershberger commented that some had journeyed from places such as Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington, San Francisco, Sutter County and even the Czech Republic.

The annual Courage Triathlon honors one individual each year for going above and beyond the call of duty to fight issues in life. This year’s honoree was local Lassen High student Abby Dunn.

Abby Dunn helps to facilitate the start of the third annual Courage Triathlon by blowing the horn on Aug. 26. Photo by Ashley Grogan

“Abby was a shining example for the world about fighting and overcoming. We welcomed her spirit to hopefully inspire many to help join in the fight to end human trafficking,” said Hershberger.

Dunn not only started the event, but she was also a participant as she was part of a team completing the kayak portion of the triathlon.

Additionally, there were two trafficking survivors at the triathlon who came to thank the volunteers and participants. According to Hershberger, the two individuals were rescued from sex trafficking by the efforts from the previous Courage Triathlons.

There was also a survivor who ran in one of the open division teams alongside CCC staff member Marty Vandusseldorp.

Hershberger also commented that Chellie Bell was a two-time triathlon participant who did exceptionally well at this year’s event.

While the participants were doing their part on the course, those watching and supporting on the sidelines were given the opportunity to look at some of the booths selling items for the cause.

One of the art items donated to help raise funds for Courage Worldwide was made by a CCC prisoner involved in the Not In My Life Group at the prison. The item sold for $480 and will be displayed at the children’s wing at the Sutter County Hospital. Two additional art items were sold for a combined amount of $650. Again, the proceeds were donated directly to Courage Worldwide.

The triathlon event began after the CCC/HDSP Honor Guard raised the flag, Emily Fluke sung the national anthem and Honey Lake Assembly of God’s Pastor Darin Hogan performed the invocation.

The official results were recorded by Linda Powell, a California H

ighway Patrol Sergeant and the owner and operator of Bizz Running Company.

Prairie Burt starts the 7.1-mile bike ride after completing the 2.8-mile run while competing as an individual in the Courage Triathlon. Photo by Ashley Grogan

Wyatt Williams takes on the 7.1-mile bike ride during the third annual Courage Triathlon on Aug. 26. Photo by Ashley Grogan

Suzanne O’Brien, left, and Scott Shihadeh turn a corner on the bike portion of the Courage Triathlon held on Aug. 26. Photo by Ashley Grogan

Official results of each division are as followed:

Open division team:

1. North Arm Regulars, 1:36:59.87; 2. Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, 1:41:17.46; 3. Trifecta, 1:51:53.95; 4. Victorious Secret, 1:54:44.90; 5. Honey Lake Valley Assembly of God, 1:59:52.66; 6. Mighty Sophisticated Journey, 2:00:35.59; 7. The Pink Floyd, 2:02:50.46, 8. The Wheel Deal, 2:06:05.81; 9. Tres Amigos, 2:07:18.99.

10. The Brave, Corageous, And Touch, 2:12:51.92; 11. Jackson’s Service Center Psychos, 2:14:12.40; 12. D.L.M., 2:19:45.66; 13. The Branch Bunch, 2:19:46.19; 14. Team Monahan, 2:2

0:49.43; 15. Harris Susan River Fire, 2:20:59.90; 16. Johas-Darnell/Phillips, 2:24:02.48; 17. The Crybabies, 2:29:59.09; 18. The Woman Is The Boss, 2:31:50.88; 19. Three’s Company, 2:32:43.90.

20. Pulah, 2:36:10.96.

Women’s division team:

1. Three Quick Chicks, 1:58:21.63; 2. Team Quam, 2:03:56.52; 3. Plumas Bank, 2:07:44.21; 4. The Bad And The Ugly, 2:12:37.86; 5. The Elite, 2:21:24.03; 6. Die Tri-ing, 2:24:37.58; 7. The Blonde Bobbleheads, 2:47:54.71; 8. Courage To Change, 3:15:00.87.

Female aged 16-29 years:

1. Michelle Radtke, 1:58:50.23; 2. Kelsey Denmark, 1:59:35.81; 3. Cassa

ndra Breslin, 2:08:35.17; 4. Jessica Post, 2:24:32.97; 5. Carlene Rice, 2:33:32.91; 6. Caitlin Graves, 2:37:36.35; 7. Megan Wylie, 2:40:32.51; 8. Charlotte Roberts, 3:12:32.88.

Male aged 16-29 years:

1. Paul Hendricks, 1:50:37.90; 2. Aron McCulloh, 1:54:52.26; 3. Wyatt Williams, 2:26:18.80; 4. Greg Blakeman, 2:29:50.99; 5. Jesse Monje, 2:38:11.32; 6. Brandon Skillen, 2:48:42.87.

Female aged 30-39 years:

1. Kristen Runyan, 2:07:16.46; 2. Jodi Brommer, 2:09:34.30; 3. Darcie Stewart, 2:28:44.68; 4. April Kuster, 2:29:43.61; 5. Christi Myers, 2:30:01.92; 6. Jammie Miller, 2:39:28.44; 7. Nicki Rodriguez, 2:40:32.41.

Male aged 30-39 years:

1. David Brown, 1:40:06.86; 2. Gabriel Hines, 1:45:08.06; 3. Todd Geer, 1:53:23.36; 4. Dustin Shahrok, 1:53:34.22; 5. Nicholas McBride, 1:57:48.21; 6. Jared Parke

r, 1:59:35.45; 7. Adam Runyan, 2:07:16.17; 8. Dustin Eldridge, 2:13:31.50; 9. Jesse Branch, 2:36:21.96.

Female aged 40-49 years:

1. Prarie Burt, 1:59:07.45; 2. Erica Osborn, 2:15:01.96; 3. Heidi Schuman, 2:15:28.51; 4. Sara Gould, 2:21:24.34; 5. Julie Olivera, 2:30:12.64; 6. Taren Phillips, 2:34:23.93; 7. Heather Cota, 2:56:47.50; 8. Andrea Messina, 2:58:33.99; 9. Brenda Sohnrey, 2:58:34.44.

10.Jennifer Branding, 3:10:22.69; 11. Tina Riley, 3:10:48.91; 12. Kelley Cote, 3:11:25.65.

Male aged 40-49 years:

1. Viktor Breska, 1:47:24.49; 2. David Harwood, 2:14:41.09; 3. Edward Pentridge, 2:28:28.53; 4. Michael Hull, 2:37:20.66; 5. Cory Gould, 2:46:38.21.

Female aged 50-59 years:

1. Doreen Pinelli, 2:00:38.53; 2. Grace Hendricks, 2:02:08.38; 3. Jeannie Huber, 2:10:24.56; 4. Leslie Schuman, 2:15:34.59; 5. Diann Dalton, 2:27:58.66; 6. Judy Mendoza, 2:33:41.87; 7. Julie Vugrenes, 2:34:08.53; 8. Corrie Phillips, 2:47:29.98; 9. Katherine Horn, 2:55:

38.35.

10. Shawn Montgomery, 3:08:12.65.

Male aged 50-59 years:

1. Wes Hendricks, 1:47:24.59; 2. Bob Barton, 1:55:28.49; 3. Don Clark, 2:03:54.85; 4. Jim Scarbrough, 2:06:52.48; 5. Michael Kanner, 2:06:55.13; 6. Reiner Kiehl, 2:10:28.48; 7. Darren Hogan, 2:13:55.57; 8. Scott Shihadeh, 2:14:39.01; 9. 2:14:41.20.

10. James Dalton, 2:15:56.50; 11. Daniel Hanna, 2:27:38.40; 12. Jim Cloney, 2:28:06.79; 13. Shawn Hays, 2:43:59.97.

Female aged 60-69 years:

1. Suzanne O’Brien, 2:57:03.65.

Male aged 60-69 years:

1. Mike Allen, 1:59:22.34; 2. Stephen Hostetter, 2:00:49.10; 3. Russ Gillette, 2:03:59.45; 4. Steve Salisbury, 2:16:35.94; 5. Rod McCollough, 2:26:50.69; 6. Jim Cote, 3:11:25.69.