Chicago Triathlon Boasts Stories of Triumph

Running is one of three physical tasks a triathlete must participate in, there is also swimming and biking. Photo courtesy of Marathonfoto.com
Running is one of three physical tasks a triathlete must participate in, there is also swimming and biking. Photo courtesy of Marathonfoto.com

Chicago Triathlon Boasts Stories of Triumph

By Monique Smith

While there are many variations of the sport, a triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances. Triathletes compete for fastest overall course completion time, including timed “transitions” between the individual swim, cycle, and run.

The Life Time Chicago Triathlon on August 28th is one of the largest races in the nation. There are over 5,500 participants registered, and 2,700 of them are from Chicago. Some of the Chicago participants have amazing stories of triumph and participating in the triathlon is a celebration of that.

Alex Castro is a 36 year old man who has been battling with GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome.) Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a debilitating disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Castro is participating in the triathlon to raise awareness for GBS which has left him practically paralyzed. Another inspiration is Chuck Aron, a 70-year old man who is competing in memory of his brother-in-law, who passed away due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease . His brother would have been 73 this year. Aron is running in 73 events this year in memory of his brother and to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s.

“In the late 1990’s, my brother-in-law, Paul Bracken, was diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s and it affected me in a big way,” said Aron. “I went out to Omaha, where he lived, and was unable to complete an Alzheimer¹s Memory Walk. Disgusted with myself, I went back to training and the following year returned to Omaha and ran the walk; the year after that I ran the walk twice.

“On August 16, 2001, I was planning to run my first race since 1978 - Race Judicata (a 5K benefiting the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services). Paul passed away that morning, and I ran that race in his memory. Since that time, every race that I have run, has been in Paul’s memory.

“In 2004, I turned 58, which was Paul’s age when he passed away, and it was 25 years after my last Marathon. I entered the Chicago Marathon as a member of Team CARE (Conquering Alzheimer¹s Running Endeavor), and now the ALZ Stars, as a Marathon Fundraiser and have done so ever since. March 24th is my 70th birthday and on April 8th, Paul would have turned 73. As I run every race in Paul’s memory, I have dedicated this year to his memory by running 73 races, including the Chicago Marathon, at the age of 70,” said Aron.

There are other amazing stories like that of Katrina Murphy – a cancer survivor, who had participated in 20 triathlons before her diagnosis in 2002. She will be celebrating being in remission for 4 years by participating in the triathlon. This will be her first race since being diagnosed in 2002.

The Chicago Triathlon turns 34 years old this year.

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