Spaghetti and Dodgeball: A Recipe for Success

The Belize Triathlon Association hosted the 2nd Annual BTB (Belize Tourism Board) Challenge on Sunday, January 21. Prior to Sunday's races, Peace Corps Volunteers assembled for a dinner of spaghetti and garlic toast (the secret is in the sauce). While enjoying a carb-loaded meal, race participants received words of inspiration from the movie Dodgeball.

PCV Greg Szalay cycling ahead of the competition.

In the individual sprint competition (swim-750m? bike-20K run 5K) Peace Corps Volunteer Greg Szalay finished seconds behind Panamanian triathlete, Libardo Bru, whose winning time was 1:20:11.77. In the swimming leg of the race Bru was the first competitor out of the water and despite going off-course he recieved no time deduction. If Chuck Norris was judging the triathlon, clearly Szalay would have won. The sole racer in the female division, Jamie Lee Usher finished with a time of 1:29:32.58.

Individual sprint men's results: (1) Libardo Bru 1:20:11.77, (2) PCV Greg Szalay 1:20:44.52, (3) Kenneth Butler 1:25:55.49, (4) PCV Ness Tiano 1:35:58.85

In the corporate relay division, team BATSUP (British Army Training Support Belize Unit) claimed victory with a winning time of 1:18:26. Finishing in second place (1:26:54) were the Leopards, a team comprised of Peace Corps Volunteers. Swimmer Jenny Groenenboom gave the Leopards a strong starting position, exiting the sea in second place. Underdog cyclist, Jerry Wagner was the only competitor in the field racing a "power bike" (mountain bike). While drawing some laughs from spectators, Jerry and the Jagger endured the 20K bike ride only slipping two spots to the fierce competition. Minnesota-native Mike Norbeck, with a strong running performance, reclaimed the second place spot for the Leopards. The other Peace Corps Volunteer team in the division (swimmer Grant Galland, cyclist Audrey Spencer, and runner Erin McClellan) finished with a time of 1:43:46. PCV Rob Landolfi swam for team Belize Hotel Supply Ltd. Volunteers will donate their cash winnings towards Peace Corps projects.

(left) Jerry Wagner (Leopards) mounts the Jagger. (right) The Dyno Dips and Amphilife in a tight race.

Corporate relay results: (1) BATSUP 1:18:26, (2) (PCVs) Leopards 1:26:54, (3) Dyno Dips 1:28:12, (4) Amphilife 1:29:38, (5) Belize Hotel Supply Ltd. 1:32:04, (6) (PCVs) Zissou 1:43:46.

(left) Audrey and Erin in race mode for team Zissou. (right) 2nd place Leopards: Mike, Jenny, and Jerry with BTB reps.