Competition among friends turns into annual Springstead triathlon

SPRINGSTEAD, Wis - A decade after it began, the latest running of the Springstead Sprint triathlon was held Saturday.

A sprint-length event - meaning a shorter course - the race included a 400-meter swim, a 16.5-mile bike ride and 5K run.

Competitors could compete individually or divide the legs of the race between teammates.

Around 58 participants took part in this year's race, which is consistent with the turnout the last couple of years according to Brad Matson, one of the race's organizers.

"Some people come back year after year. There are families that do it. There's new people (every year)," Matson said.

The race started 10 years ago as a casual competition between friends, Matson said.

"They were fitness nuts, and they were swimming and biking together and decided, 'Hey, we should have a little triathlon,'" Matson said. "That first year, it was truly just locals - just people that live here and have cabins here,"

He explained the group had asked him and a few other area first responders to be at the event as a precaution, however, the race has since turned into a fundraiser for the first responders.

Money has also been given to other departments in the area that have also sent volunteers.

This year's individuals bracket was won by Daniel Bocok, of Phillips, with a time of 1:20:23. Travis Nez came in second with a time of 1:20:58 and Elias Ritzke rounded out the top three with 1:28:58.

The group bracket was won by a team of Tim Zwicke and Scott Walker with a combined time of 1:27:36. The team of Charlie and Matt Stangle took second in the bracket with 1:28:51 and the team of Terry Daulton, Ethan Carney and Jalina Manuwal took third with a time of 1:30:41.