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Another big triathlon for Pass it Along

| 27 Jul 2016 | 01:46
    Photos by George Leroy Hunter save where otherwise noted Fifty three year old triathlete Tracey Swenson of Sparta Township, N.J. finished in 28th place overall with a time of 1:13:54. She also finished first in the female 50-54 age category with the time of 1:13:54.56.
    Photos by George Leroy Hunter save where otherwise noted Fifty three year old triathlete Tracey Swenson of Sparta Township, N.J. finished in 28th place overall with a time of 1:13:54. She also finished first in the female 50-54 age category with the time of 1:13:54.56.
    Photo courtesy of Pass It Along Overall male winner, Brendan Offer and 8th place overall winner John Mcgurk of Dallas, PA
    Photo courtesy of Pass It Along Overall male winner, Brendan Offer and 8th place overall winner John Mcgurk of Dallas, PA
    Fifty year old Michelle Dion of Wayne, N.J. finished in 117th place overall with a time of 1:35:04.32. Dion also finished in 4th place in the female 50-54 age category.
    Fifty year old Michelle Dion of Wayne, N.J. finished in 117th place overall with a time of 1:35:04.32. Dion also finished in 4th place in the female 50-54 age category.
    Thirty six year old Rob Rohel of Sussex, N.J. rides during the cycling part of the triathlon. Rohel finished in 9th place overall with a time of 1:07:48.
    Thirty six year old Rob Rohel of Sussex, N.J. rides during the cycling part of the triathlon. Rohel finished in 9th place overall with a time of 1:07:48.
    Fifty one year old triathlete John Mcgurk of Dallas, Pennsylvania finished in 8th place overall with a time of 1:07:05.
    Fifty one year old triathlete John Mcgurk of Dallas, Pennsylvania finished in 8th place overall with a time of 1:07:05.
    Triathlon organizer Eleanor Young (pointing) speaks with volunteers.
    Triathlon organizer Eleanor Young (pointing) speaks with volunteers.
    Triathletes in their fit fifties are Tracey Swenson (53) of Sparta, N.J., Barbara Foley (59) of Montclair, N.J. and Angie Dello (54) of Whippany, N.J. in a post triathlon pose.
    Triathletes in their fit fifties are Tracey Swenson (53) of Sparta, N.J., Barbara Foley (59) of Montclair, N.J. and Angie Dello (54) of Whippany, N.J. in a post triathlon pose.
    Boonton Kiwanis First Aid Squad emergency medical technicians Bryan Weathers (22), Nikki Castellucci (23) and Joel Vega (26) participated as a team called Boonton Firs in the relays category.
    Boonton Kiwanis First Aid Squad emergency medical technicians Bryan Weathers (22), Nikki Castellucci (23) and Joel Vega (26) participated as a team called Boonton Firs in the relays category.
    Twenty eight year old triathlete Taryn Ferrara of Morristown, N.J. finished in 13th place overall with a time of 1:08:54. Ferrara was also the second female finisher with a time of 1:08:54.00.
    Twenty eight year old triathlete Taryn Ferrara of Morristown, N.J. finished in 13th place overall with a time of 1:08:54. Ferrara was also the second female finisher with a time of 1:08:54.00.
    Triathlete Laura White of Newton, N.J. pedals during the cycling part of the triathlon. White finished in 138th place overall with a time of 1:40:57.
    Triathlete Laura White of Newton, N.J. pedals during the cycling part of the triathlon. White finished in 138th place overall with a time of 1:40:57.

SPARTA — Pass It Along hosted another successful triathlon fundraiser Saturday, July 23 at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta.
Newton Medical Center and Atlantic Sports Health were the presenting sponsors for this year's 7th annual USAT sanctioned sprint distance event. Lakeland Bank and The Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey also sponsored this year at the Gold level. Over 300 athletes registered to swim 750 meters, bike 10.8 miles and finish with a 3.1 mile run. 46 of the event entries were 2 or 3 person relay teams including 2 teams from Silver sponsor Thorlabs.
The event raised approximately $20,000 to help fund Pass It Along, and continue free programs to local teenagers in self-discovery, volunteerism and leadership. As a registered 501c3 nonprofit entity, Pass It Along relies on fundraising events, sponsorship and donations to keep their organization operating.
The course was completed for the first time in under an hour by 26 year old Brendan Offer of Oradell with a time of 59:39 defeating three time winner James Smith, 43 years old, of Washington Crossing, PA who came in second overall at 1:02:51.
The top overall female finisher was 35 year old Stephanie Coburn of Astoria, NY at 1:08:46, and the second place female Taryn Ferrara of Morristown at 1:08:54. The fastest overall relay team, Team Billy Bob+1 was comprised of 3 members, Bobby Galante of Sparta, William Hoer of Andover and Emily Tighe of Newton with a winning finish time of 57:05.
Several prizes were awarded this year, and included free 100 minute massage services at Spavia in Sparta, free tandem skydive compliments of Skydive Sussex and $100 gfit cards from Trisports.com. Once again, Sussex Bike & Sports Shop, located in Sussex and Andover, sponsored a free bike giveaway to the fastest finisher on a non road, non triathlon bicycle. The bike prize sparked impressive competition and remarkable results from 33 participants who qualified. The winner of the bike was 45 year old Stephen Judice of Dayton, ME with a time of 1:06:33 just beating out an impressive effort by 16 year old Liam Mchale of Sparta with a time of 1:12:52.
Team Hat Trick had the youngest athletes, Kai Batchelor, 9, Bradley Matsinger, 9 and Jack Wittenmeier, 10 all from Sparta and part of the Lake Mohawk Pool swim team. Team Hat Trick finished with a remarkable time for the youngsters at 1:50:06. The youngest individual female finisher was 14 year old Hannah Calderon of Newton finishing 1:33:24, and the youngest male 13 year old William Englehardt of Sparta finished 1:42:47. The oldest female and male finishers were Robin Schreck, age 66 of Lake Hopatcong at 1:37:20, and Thom Holovacs, 76 years of Sparta at 2:16:04.
More official results, listing of sponsors, and color photos can be found on www.pasitalong.org/triathlon and on Pass It Along's Facebook page.