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Boulder "Shambhala Triathlon"

for the Konchok Foundation a vibrant event and a smashing success! 

The  Boulder Triathlon for the Surmang Shedra took place under the auspices of a Triathlon organized by Your Cause Sports,  a Boulder non profit organization  that holds athletic events for participants to raise money for any non profit cause of their choice.  The race was held at the Boulder Reservoir.

Our Triathlon was more than a  success, it was an epiphany!   The (until now secret) name of our team was  the "Tri War Gods"   (War god is a translation of the word "drala", which means "the manifestation of strength or bravery that is beyond aggression.") 

left to right: Tracy Steele, Gabriel O'Haare, Jim Lestor and Brooks Witter.  Bob sutherland (below) had to miss the group photo to go pick up the pizza for the victory celbration held later at his house. (photo by Khenpo tsering Gyurme)

Bob Sutherland  (photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme)

  In the midst of a series of lovely Boulder Indian Summer days, the day of the race was cold and raining.  There were even powerful lightning and  thunder storms just before the race which caused the 1/2 mile swim to be cancelled and replaced with a 2 mile run.  Our  fearless warriors were undaunted by the weather.

Khenpo Tsering performing a Lhasang in Boulder in 2002 (photo by Howard Lipson)

Surmang Khenpo Tsering performed a  traditional Tibetan Lhasang with the racers at the Boulder Reservoir just before the race.   In the midst of the Lhasang, the thunder and lightning reached their peak,  with several large brilliant bolts cracking down from the clouds!   In spite of the potential danger for the swimming portion,  we all felt it was an auspicious sign!

The revised race consisted of a 2 mile run, a 23 mile bike ride and concluded with a 4 mile run.  Our War Gods not only completed with smiles of lungta and joy;  they also  raised $4,631.00 for the Surmang Shedra!

Gabriel O'Hare and Bob Sutherland (photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme)

Here are the results of the race:

FN  LN         Div        OA Div/Pl Sex/Pl   Run     T1      Bike      T2      Run      Time       Pace
Brooks Witter M3034  41  7/22    32/93  16:31   2:06   1:09:25  1:39   37:34    2:07:12   12:07

Bob Sutherland M4044 46  6/12  35/93   15:05   2:45   1:12:20  1:46   36:05    2:08:00   11:39

Gabriel O'Hare M3539  95  17/22 65/93   18:23  3:14   1:19:14  2:09   38:12    2:21:10   12:20

Tracy Steele F4549     97  3/6     32/104  15:23  1:29   1:29:55  1:22   33:05    2:21:13   10:41

James Lestor M6099 127  1/2      79/93   19:13  4:59   1:17:06  3:54   46:30    2:31:40   15:00

The race day concluded with a celebratory victory party at Bob Sutherland's house. 

 Ki KI!  So So!

Jim Lestor (from Minneapolis,  first in his age bracket!) (photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme)

Brooks Witter (photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme)

Tracy Steele and Gabriel O Hare (photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme)

Tracy steele transitioning from bike to run.  Tracy finished third in her age bracket! (photo by Khenpo Tsering Gyurme)

Team Tri War Gods plus Ginny L and Khenpo Tsering (minus Bob S. who was getting pizza for the celebratory party at his house) (photo by innocent bystander)

THANK YOU TRI WAR GODS!!!!!  and their generous supporters from the Sangha.