I enjoyed your recent coverage of the Vermont Sun Triathlon at Branbury State Park. This sprint race, the first of a series of three, was also the Vermont Senior Games Association (VSGA) State Championship.

Congratulations to the seven Addison County triathletes over the age of 50 who completed the course (including a 600-yard swim in Lake Dunmore, a 14-mile bike and 5k run) and earned VSGA awards. They included Tanya Byker (Cornwall), fourth in women’s 50-54; Middlebury’s Mike Salak, fourth in men’s 50-54; Bristol’s Terry Ryan, second in men’s 65-69; and Salisbury’s Cindy Quackenbush, first in women’s 75-79; and Carrlane Quackenbush, first in men’s 80-84.

These five were led by the two mentioned in your story, Wendie Puls of Bristol and Jeff Schumann of Salisbury, each taking gold in the 70-74 age groups with snappy finishing times. Congratulations to these athletes for their stellar performances!

In addition to the triathlon, VSGA holds 15 events each year for athletes over the age of 50. With the motto of “Fun, fitness, and fellowship,” VSGA offers a place for everyone over the age of 50, whether new to a sport or a seasoned athlete. It also gives athletes the opportunity to qualify for the National Senior Games, held every two years, to compete with athletes from across the country. The seven triathletes all qualified for nationals next summer in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

For more information on VSGA, visit vermontseniorgames.org.

Rebecca Ryan, VSGA secretary and athlete
Bristol