Running News Daily

90-year-old Lew Hollander, plans to complete virtual triathlon to celebrate birthday during pandemic

While alcohol and food purchases soar during the 2020 pandemic and most of the world binges on Netflix, it appears that we have all succumbed to a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle and the Quanran-15 pound weight gain will be a reality.

Then we get a boost of inspiration from someone showing us how to thrive during COVID-19. Lew Hollander, turning 90, will be completing a Virtual Triathlon on his birthday. Lew explains, "Well all the big plans and races for my 9th decade got delayed and/or cancelled by some microbe you cannot even see. So, what to do? On my birthday I am doing the Virtual PDX Triathlon 2020! I get a racing tank, a beach towel, sunglasses, a medal and results and I can do it close to home. I have a photographer, a timer, and my wonderful wife Karen to help! I am excited about that. Everyone should sign up to do it with me!"

The PDX Triathlon is celebrating its 39th year and due to Coronavirus has had to transition to a Virtual event for the first time ever. Athletes compete from May 30th – June 7th and includes a Olympic, Sprint & Super Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon, & AquaBike, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Kids Tri. Since the time period to complete the distances is over a week, many athletes take on the Beast Challenge by racing in multiple distances and events and earning the coveted BEAST medal. Why Racing Events produces the event and has provided athletes with rules and guidelines for participating in a virtual triathlon. Here is a link to the "How the Heck do you do a Virtual Triathlon" summary email which includes a link to the LIVE presentation explaining all the rules.

Their guidelines include details such as:

Where to swim and how to do it safely.

What to do if you don’t feel comfortable swimming due to lack of pool access and training.

Where to bike and how to do it safely.

Where to run and how to do it safely.

How to do transitions and how much time would be allotted between each leg of the race.

How to upload results for each leg of the race.

You can register to race with 90-year-old Lew at https://whyracingevents.com/pdx-triathlon-at-blue-lake/

Sherri McMillan, race director for WHY Racing Events explains “We could have just canceled the race but when you have athletes like Lew, it reminds you that quitting is not an option. Virtual racing is better than nothing and Lew teaches us that when presented with an obstacle, you stay the course! No excuses – just get it done!”