2021 Stissing Triathlon has record-breaking participation

PINE PLAINS — After a year without endurance competitions (other than and because of COVID-19), athletes in the region turned out in record numbers to take part in one of the first competitions of the year: the Stissing Triathlon in Pine Plains on Sunday, June 27.

Of the 125 competitors, Race Director Mark Wilson of Wilson Endurance Sports in Cassadaga, N.Y., said at least 30 were racing for the first time in their lives and about 75 were racing for the first time in Pine Plains.

“It feels incredible,” Wilson said. “We’re seeing faces we haven’t seen in two years.”

The huge turnout led Pine Plains town Supervisor Darrah Cloud to say, “It makes me want to cry. It’s been such a hard year, and it’s incredible to see all these people in town, young and old.”

The triathletes took off at 8 a.m. with a half-mile swim at  Stissing Lake. They emerged from the water, stripped off their wet suits as they jogged to the parking lot where rows upon rows of bicycles stood upright in anticipation of the 12.6-mile ride. With their helmets secure on their heads, they mounted their bikes and pedaled off.

The final leg of the triathlon was a 3.3-mile run around Stissing Lake.

As family and friends settled down to wait for the athletes to return, the race organizer said, “The world’s been through the worst of it and it’s not only the medical rules and laws — people want to be together. 

“In these times,” Wilson continued, “to be able to get together means so much, more so than ever before.”

Owen Rowlands, 20, of Campbell Hall, N.Y., was the first runner to cross the finish line, to cheers and applause from the fans. Despite cramping up throughout the competition, Rowlands said it was “great to be back — and win,” adding that this was his first race in a year and a half.

The other 124 athletes followed soon after, and spectators needed no further encouragement to make some noise for them. Following the race, there was a cookout provided by Wilson Endurance Sports and several local restaurants; beer was supplied by Southern Tier Brewing Company.