NORWAY — Under calm winds and bluebird skies, the 2022 Lakeside Norway Triathlon occurred on Saturday, July 9, at Lake Pennesseewassee Park in Norway. This year marked the event’s 15th year, and was the first year running at total capacity since the pandemic’s start, boasting 105 individual and team athletes across Maine and New England. All proceeds from the event benefit the local conservation organization, Western Foothills Land Trust, celebrating its 35th anniversary later this summer.

The USAT-sanctioned “sprint” triathlon includes a .75k lake swim, 18.5k bike leg, finishing with a 5k run. The event attracted both experienced and novice triathletes from nine states. Thirty-eight women and sixty-seven men competed for the event’s classic gold, silver, and bronze cowbell awards in individual and team categories. Competitors ranged in age from 20 years old to 72 years young.

Finishing in first place for the individual men’s class: Connor Ford of Boulder, CO, with a time of 1:03:06, a Norway Tri course record! Delaney Bucker of Portland, ME, took first place in the individual women’s category with a time of 1:17:43. Nine teams competed, with “Milo’s Rippers” taking first place for a men’s team with a time of 1:08:45, “SAM’s Club” took first place for a women’s team with a time of 1:22:50, and “Pete’s Wedding-A Team” won the coed team category with a time of 1:23:37, just in time to get dressed for Pete’s wedding, assumably. Team names are often very creative, this year Team The (slightly Above Average) Joes and Team Bodily Autonomy were amongst the favorite names.

Thanks to the event’s safety-first race director Christine Curry Hemmings; swim captain Mark White, bike captain John Snell, run captain Abby Bennett, and safety captain Deb Partridge as well as Norway Police stationed at crossroads, Pace ambulances on hand, lifeguards on the swim course, and all the volunteers ensuring a safe and successful race, there were no accidents.

Over $13,000 was raised through sponsorship, registration fees, and donations to benefit the Western Foothills Land Trust. This year’s sponsors included; Title Sponsor Lakeside Norway; Gold sponsors: Cafe Nomad and New Balance; Silver sponsors: Norway Savings Bank, Oxford Hotel and Casino, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Evergreen Subaru, Paris Farmers Union, Paris AutoBarn, and Woods Lawn Company; and Bronze sponsors: The Woods Maine, Oxbow Brewing, Bancroft Contracting Corporation, Norway Brewing Company, Black Dog Timberworks, Green Machine Bikes, Carter’s XC, Tru Strength Athletics, Crossway Family Dental, Bolsters Decorating, and True North Adventureware. Over 50 dedicated volunteers helped make the logistics of this event possible, from onsite check-in to safety in all areas of the race course and post-triathlon food and awards. Thank you, volunteers!

For the first time since 2019, competitors and volunteers had the post-race treat of enjoying the Norway Arts and Music Festival. These two events have historically occurred on the same day. “It was so much fun to compete in the Norway Triathlon again. It’s a great event with fantastic volunteers and participants. I’m glad I did it and look forward to next year. The art festival downtown was an entertaining way to round out our trip to Norway!” said coed team competitor Stacy Cramp of Falmouth.

The annual Norway Triathlon is Western Foothills Land Trust’s largest fundraising event promoting recreation, health, and giving back to the community. The trust serves over 60,000 residents in western Maine, protecting over 9,000 acres of land for the “benefit of our wild and human communities”. For more information or to learn how you can support the Trust, visit www.wfltmaine.org. The 2023 Norway Triathlon will occur on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Registration will open in early 2023.

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