FAIRMONT — Swimsuits are on. Bikes are off the bike racks. Shoes are tied. They’re ready to go. Youth and adult athletes from across southern and central Minnesota and northern Iowa will put their skills in swimming, cycling and running to the test at the sixth annual Marty’s Youth Triathlon and the 18th annual Fairmont Triathlon and 5K Bacon Fun Run/Walk 5K next weekend in Fairmont.

Amanda Forstrom has been on the Fairmont Triathlon committee for two years and assists with planning, along with seven other individuals. A Fairmont native, Forstrom prizes the Fairmont community, and additionally, as a physical therapist and athlete, holds the races close to her heart. Before joining the committee, Forstrom was a volunteer and a competitor herself.

“It’s nice to contribute to this good event here in Fairmont,” Forstrom said. “[Since] I’m a physical therapist, I appreciate events that promote good health.”

The weekend will be full of entertainment for spectators at Gomsrud Park, and excitement and intensity for competitors.

The adult races include a quarter-mile to-and-back swim at Budd or Hall Lake. Lifeguards will be present on kayaks for emergency assistance. In the 12-mile bike race, competitors will ride west out of Gomsrud Park onto Lair Road, north on County Road 39, west on County Road 22, south on County Road 37 and then return to Gomsrud Park. Finally, in the five-kilometer/3.1 mile sprint, competitors run east out of Gomsrud Park on Lair Road, turn south on a bike trail to Belle Vue Road, east to Prairie Avenue, north to Cardinal Street, through Johnson Street, west to Prairie Avenue, north to the Aquatic Park, and finally returning to Lair Road and the finish. The Olympic competitors will race the same route for a second lap before completion.

The Marty’s Youth Triathlon separates racers by age (from 5 to 15 years old) in distinguished classes. Forstrom stated that distance and length vary with age and the ability of the children. Ages 5 to 8 will compete in a 25-minute pool swim with flotation devices allowed, a mile bike ride and a quarter-mile run. Ages 9 to 11 will compete in a 25-minute pool swim with flotation devices allowed, a 1.8-mile bike and a half-mile run. Ages 12 to 15 will compete in a 50-minute pool swim, a 3.5-mile bike ride and a one-mile run.

“It’s really fun to watch,” Forstrom stated.

According to Fostrom, more than 200 people have registered including approximately 75 racers in Marty’s Youth Triathlon, 60 racers in the 5K Bacon Fun Run/Walk and 61 racers in the Fairmont Trathlon. Forstrom remarked that the events are very age diverse, with the youngest competitor 5 years old and the oldest in their 80s.

“It’s encouraging to see how many people signed up this year,” Formstrom remarked. “These are activities you can do for most of your life.”

Forstrom agreed that the event is very significant to Fairmont culture and builds a strong sense of community.

“It takes a lot of volunteers to help put on an event like this,” she said.

Marty’s Youth Triathlon kicks off at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, June 20, and the Fairmont Triathlon and 5K Bacon Fun Run/Walk 5K will begin at 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 21. Food and refreshments will be served for the racers following the events. Participating athletes are encouraged to make sure their gear is organized, their bike is functioning and that they drink plenty of water.

Registration is required to compete. The deadline to be guaranteed a t-shirt has passed, but it’s not too late to join the races. Registration and more information for athletes, volunteers and spectators can be completed by visiting the official website at www.fairmonttriathlon.org, the Fairmont Area Community Calendar or visiting Gomsrud Park (5K/Fairmont Triathlon) or Fairmont Aquatic Park (Marty’s Youth Triathlon) for same-day registration.

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Thunder Nation, a local youth basketball organization founded by Coseto Phillips, is helping Oxford’s young athletes gain valuable exposure through the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) program.

The program fields teams based on age and gender, with boys competing as the Oxford Thunder and girls as the Lady Thunder. Players range from fifth to eighth grade.

At the end of May, Thunder Nation teams competed in the Hustle Tournament in Columbus and returned home with an impressive collection of wins:

• Fifth Grade Thunder  –  1st Place
• Sixth Grade Thunder  –  1st Place
• Seventh Grade Thunder  –  2nd Place
• Sixth Grade Lady Thunder  –  1st Place

contributed photo —
The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA offers a MultiSport Simulator for rent, which features soccer, golf, dodgeball and more.

That first week of summer break in Marshalltown has come and gone?

For the parents out there are you ready for school to start again? Shhh don’t tell that to the hard-working teachers who can finally come up for air this time of the year.

The perfect place to get youth off the couch and off the screens is the Y.

Let’s check out a few summertime fun ideas.

Sports camps are aplenty: Our camps are usually one-hour at a time so youth get a chance to dabble in a sport without a huge commitment. These camps provide great opportunities for youth to interact with each other and be active.

Rent our MultiSport Simulator: Don’t miss your opportunity to play golf, soccer and even zombie dodgeball, yes, that’s a real game. You can rent it for an hour at a time and it’s loads of fun.

Attend open swim in our indoor Rec Pool: We’ve added extra summer hours three afternoons a week for open swim in addition to our regular weekend schedule. Dad Bods are welcome (we don’t judge).

A family game of basketball: I recently blocked my son’s shot playing one-on-one basketball and I think that irritated him as the next time he had the ball he drove his shoulder right into me. That can really hurt an old man like me, but I cherish those memories and bruises.

Don’t have kids but also need a summer activity? Check out group exercise classes, water group exercise, EGYM, free weights, biking, or just come in for a cup of coffee. There’s something for everyone at the Y. The sense of community is something we also pride ourselves at the Y, so stop by and experience that for yourself. Be sure to check out our Facebook page or website www.ymca-ywca.org for more information.

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Andrew Potter is marketing and communications

director at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA.

WASHINGTON (7News) — As the NFL reaches its summer break, many players are returning to their hometowns to relax and recharge before training camps begin.

Bowie, Maryland native Josh Wallace is one of those players, but he will be hard at work.

MORE SPORTS | Laremy Tunsil ready for new beginning in Washington

Wallace, a second-year cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, is heading home to host his inaugural youth football camp.

“It’s crazy just thinking about it. Almost a year ago we wanted to do it and now it’s here, so it’s kind of surreal,” Wallace told 7News Sports Anchor Natalie Spala. “Just doing it for the community, for the players at the Boys & Girls Club or all around the DMV, and just give them the chance to be around NFL players and just have a good time.”

Wallace’s camp is designed for children ages 10 to 14. There will be a drill portion, a skills competition, and lunch will be provided. Children will also receive a camp t-shirt and a goodie bag. Wallace said that 350 athletes have already signed up to take part.

“Growing up, everyone knows I played basketball as well, and I used to go to a lot of basketball camps. Just being around a professional athlete just gives you a different type of inspiration,” Wallace said. “I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for the kids to interact and just get some advice if they need some.”

Wallace is going to be joined by some of his fellow teammates and friends throughout the NFL, too. Although just beginning his own NFL career, Wallace wants to share what he’s learned and give back to the next generation of athletes in the DMV.

“I’m just going to tell them to work hard in no matter what they do, whether that’s school, football, or even a different career,” Wallace said. “Just keep that hard work, that mentality; never get too high, never get too low. In life there’s a lot of downs, but if you stay [level-headed] you’ll be in a great space.”

Wallace’s youth football camp will be held at Whitemarsh Park in Bowie between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 21. There is still limited space available. To sign up, click here.

Pictured: The foursome of (l-r) Adam James, Charlie Marshall, Jeremy Meyer and Jeff Horner won the  Eastern Shore Type 1 Diabetes Support Foundation golf tournament at the Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club recently.

By Bill Sterling

Chad Muma, a linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is proof that a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes does not prevent you from leading an active life and accomplishing your goals.

The first raffle prize selected from a table full of some very nice donated items at a benefit golf tournament Friday at the Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club was a football signed by Muma.

In all, 52 golfers turned out to raise funds for the Eastern Shore Type 1 Diabetes Support Foundation, based in Ocean City Md. and supporting youth with type 1 diabetes from the Bay Bridge in Annapolis to the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel in Kiptopeke.

Matt and Shannon Boggs of Onancock, parents of three, whose 10-year-old daughter Raelyn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2022, staged the tournament with the help of the foundation. Shannon said hearing the news about their daughter “flipped our world.”

Corey and Katie Rimel, foundation board members who were on hand at the tournament helping in various ways, know the feeling of hearing that diagnosis. Their son, Eric, now 25, lives with type 1 diabetes.

“We’ve been in and out of way too many hospitals, said Katie.

“It’s a tough diagnosis for the parents and the child, but it’s manageable, and you can live an active life by paying attention to your body,” said Corey.

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition. in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Although type 1 diabetes can produce complications and affect major organs in the body, Mary Tyler Moore, one of the better known personalities with type 1 diabetes, lived an active life until she was 80.

The Eastern Shore Type 1 Diabetes Support Foundation holds fundraisers like the golf tournament to send youth with type 1 diabetes to Camp Possibilities in Darlington, Md. Camp Possibilities educates their campers through dedicated support sessions that are informative, encouraging and fun. Raelyn Boggs attended last year and will be returning to camp the last week of July.

Katie Rimel said over the years the foundation has raised $175,000 to fully fund the $875 fee for Eastern Shore youth to attend Camp Possibilities. The foundation also awards scholarships to graduating seniors with type 1 diabetes.

Winning the tournament was the foursome of Adam James, Jeff Horner, Jamie Nalls and Charlie Marshall with a 56. In second place with a 56 by virtue of a tiebreaker, was the team of Tyler Ames, Brian McCullough, Ruddy Rose and Ryan Horner. Finishing third with a 59 was Thomas Heath, Lee Robbins, Will Carstens and Nick Lewis.

Ruddy Rose had the longest drive, and Charlie Marshall was closest to the pin with a shot five feet from the hole.