Close to 200 youths between the ages of 6 and 15 participated in the inaugural Be Amyazing Reston Youth Triathlon on May 22, 2011.
The athletes swam in the Ridge Heights Pool, biked near South Lakes High School, and completed the event by running on the South Lakes track. The course lengths varied by age groups and participants were seeded based on the estimated 50-meter swim times they submitted. Over 100 student and adult volunteers were stationed throughout the course in order to help the athletes and to cheer them on.
The event was organized by Hannah Becker, Kacey Hirshfeld, and Olivia Wolfe, who are members of Amy’s Amigos. Amy’s Amigos is a South Lakes service club dedicated to raising money for cancer research. The group was started in 2008 by sixth grade classmates of Amy Boyle, who was battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a fatal pediatric brain tumor. Although Boyle lost her life to the disease later that year, the determination she showed in the face of her illness remains an inspiration to those who knew her.
“We really wanted to something to honor Amy and the athletic and strong person she was,” said Wolfe.
Amy’s mother, Hannah Boyle, also commented on her daughter’s athleticism.
“Amy loved to work as hard as she could at sports events,” said Boyle. “I think she would have loved this triathlon.”
The triathlon raised over $5,000 for the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to raising funds for scientific research on childhood brain tumors.
According to CBTF Vice President Carol Cornman, the CBTF plans to direct these funds toward research grants that are closely related to DIPG. For example, research supported by the CBTF led to a medical breakthrough at the Stanford University School of Medicine in February, 2011. For the first time, scientists were able to culture human cells from DIPG and use them to create an animal model of the cancer. Study of this model has yielded discoveries of molecular signals that could provide the framework for future anti-DIPG drugs.
“I think that the fact that the money is going to the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation is not only setting the tone for the event but is teaching a lot to the youth of Reston as well,” said Amy’s father, Mike Boyle, in an interview with the Reston Patch.
According to spectators, the triathlon was successful in promoting community involvement and a healthy lifestyle.
“I am amazed at how great this event is, especially in its first year,” said Cornman. “You would think that it has been around for ten years. I am also so impressed by all of the volunteers and the teamwork of the community.”
According to Becker, the trio began their initial planning in late June. Over the summer they met with the people responsible for running the Reston triathlon, and in the fall they met with their race director. Throughout the winter they met with their race chair directors and began to get the triathlon insured and sanctioned by obtaining the necessary permits. As the race day approached they began recruiting volunteers and planning the post race entertainment.
“All of the work we put into it was definitely worth it,” said Wolfe. “We raised a lot of money for the CBTF and it was a really great event. The kids seemed to enjoy it and we also had the chance to honor Amy.”
Event organizers are already starting to plan for next year’s triathlon and are considering doubling the number of athletes. They also anticipate that the Be Amyazing Triathlon will be an annual event and hope that it will continue to be a part of the community even after the Amy’s Amigos members have gone on to college.
“We really want to make it so that our youth triathlon remains a part of Reston even after we graduate,” said Becker.