Nearly 100 athletes will take part in the seventh annual Tri My Best Triathlon — one of the feel-good events of the summer — on Sunday (Aug. 1) at the Kenosha YMCA, 7101 53rd St.
Tri My Best Triathlon is open to anyone with special needs including physical, cognitive, emotional, or psychological disabilities.
Athletes are paired with two “buddies” from a group of over 400 volunteers that provide assistance through the course and time their race. Distances are based on ability in swimming (25 yards to 200 yards), biking (quarter-mile and 2 miles), and running (200 yards to 1 mile).
The event was founded in 2015 by Linda Niemela, a local physical therapist and president of Kenosha’s Tender Touch Therapy.
“For a lot of these kids, it’s one of the biggest things they get to do all year,” Niemela said. “It’s amazing to watch the kids and see how excited they get to wear their shirts and get their medals.”
It’s also an event that tugs on the heartstrings for many.
