Record Turnout for the Fifth Annual Delaware Charity Challenge Winter Indoor Triathlon & Pursuit of Health & Wellness Expo & Health Fair

As some of you may have seen from a few of the videos and pictures posted on our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages recently, the 5th Annual Delaware Charity Challenge Winter Games was held this past weekend. More than 900 attendees (including competitors, spectators, exhibitors, and guests) attended this year's Delaware Charity Challenge Winter Games and Pursuit of Health & Wellness Expo. Overall, it was another big success and a lot of fun. Most importantly, the teams were able to raise lots of money for their favorite causes. The highlights from the weekend are provided below.

Congratulations and thank you again to all of our winning teams and participants!

Congrats to our top 3 teams in this winter's Race to Raise fundraising contest! Including this year’s Winter Race to Raise, participants in the Delaware Charity Challenge have collectively raised more than $195,000 since the original Spring 2015 competition.

Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation Wins the 2020 Winter Race to Raise!

In the most recent Race to Raise, teams combined to raise more than $6,000 for seventeen different nonprofits this winter, with two teams raising more than $1,400 each. The nonprofit that won the 2020 Winter Race to Raise was the Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation, which was supported by three teams who collectively raised $2,665, including prize money for raising the most in the Race to Raise and for teammates winning their divisions in the indoor triathlon. Finishing second was the University of Delaware Men's Crew Team, which raised $1,435, including their prize money for raising the second most in the Race to Raise and for teammates winning their divisions in the indoor triathlon. Down Syndrome Association of Delaware raised the third highest amount of $620, including their prize money associated with the Race to Raise prize.

 In addition to the cash prizes awarded by Spur Impact as part of the Race to Raise fundraising competition and indoor triathlon, the Caesar Rodney Rotary Foundation team also won an advertising prize from Delaware Today, a Media Sponsor for the event, for being top overall fundraising team.

"We are thrilled to be able to organize an event that provides an opportunity for so many individuals, families and organizations to support their favorite nonprofits through the Delaware Charity Challenge," says Adam Morgan, Board President of Spur Impact, which helps organize the Delaware Charity Challenge. "Thanks to the more than 900 attending the Expo and indoor triathlon this year, we provided a great networking opportunity with local nonprofits and many health-focused organizations looking to connect people with ways to improve their health and wellness."

Teams 2020 Vision, Harrumph Team Tri-Umph, and Givin’ it a Tri raised more than $2,500 this winter for Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation. Teammates also won the Medley Men's Team Division and the Run, Row, Bike Women's Team Division. Earlier in the Race to Raise fundraising contest, Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation was awarded $100 for being the first team to get 10 unique donations to their fundraising page. Photo credit: Rebecca Ashton Parsons Photography.

Team Chuck raised money this year for Light up the Queen Foundation. Teammate Julie Tuminell who won the Fixed Distance Run, Row, Bike Women's Triathlon Division. Photo credit: Rebecca Ashton Parsons Photography.

Team Kirkwood Fitness raised money for atTAcK addiction Foundation. with team members winning the Run, Row, Bike Co-Ed M, M, W Team division. Photo credit: Kevin Francis / Local Boy Productions.

Team Legion Transformation competed agin this year’s Run, Row, Bike indoor triathlon. Teammate Stephen Reaves won the Fixed Distance Run, Row, Bike Men's Triathlon Division and awarded his prize money to Attack Addiction. Photo credit: Rebecca Ashton Parsons Photography.

Team Diamond Chiropractic competed for Brandywine Valley SPCA and won the Medley Co-Ed M, M, W Team division. Photo credit: Rebecca Ashton Parsons Photography.

Delaware Hospice fielded a team in the indoor triathlon and also shared information about their program and mission during the Pursuit of Health & Wellness Expo and health fair. Photo credit: Kevin Francis / Local Boy Productions.

Results from the Indoor Triathlon Competition

More than 120 athletes signed up to compete in this year's Delaware Charity Challenge winter games. The three category triathlon races were the Medley Triathlon, the Run, Row, Bike Triathlon, and the Fixed Distance Run, Row, Bike Triathlon. With the exception of the Fixed Distance division, the triathlon consisted of a 45 minute race (15 minutes each on a treadmill, spin bike, and rowing machine). For the Medley Triathlon, teams had members compete in one of the three events. For the Run, Row, Bike Triathlon, team members competed in all three. Fixed distance competitors ran 2 miles, rowed 2,000 meters, and biked 5 miles.

• The Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation won a total of $190 for its team winning the Medley Men's Team Division and the Run, Row, Bike Women's Team Division and the overall Race to Raise fundraising competition. Earlier in the Race to Raise fundraising contest, Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation was awarded $100 for being the first team to get 10 unique donations to their fundraising page.

• University of Delaware Men's Crew won a total of $140 in prize money for its crew program by winning the Run, Row, Bike Men's Team Division, the Run, Row, Bike Individual Men's Division, and for finishing second in the Race to Raise fundraising competition.

• Down Syndrome Association of Delaware won a total of $50 for finishing 3rd in the Race to Raise fundraising competition.

• Attack Addiction Foundation won $20 for its team members winning the Run, Row, Bike Co-Ed M, M, W Team division. In addition, the winner of the Fixed Distance Run, Row, Bike Men's Triathlon Division (Stephen Reaves, Middletown, DE, Team Legion Transformation) donated his $20 prize to Attack Addiction.

• Light up the Queen Foundation won $20 for its team member (Julie Tuminello, Wilmington, DE) winning the Fixed Distance Run, Row, Bike Women's Triathlon Division.

• SL24: Unlocke the Light won $20 for its team member (Hannah Schlegal, Orangetheory Delaware) winning the Run, Row, Bike Women's Individual Triathlon Division.

• Team Valentine won $20 for Strive: How You Lead Matters for having its team members win the Medley Co-Ed W,W, M Team division.

• Team Diamond Chiropractic won $20 for Brandywine Valley SPCA for having its team members win the Medley Co-Ed M, M, W Team division.

• Many other teams and individuals also competed in these divisions.

The full list of results for all competitors is linked on our website here. Top 3 teams and times for all of the events are posted below.

Women's Individual Run, Row, Bike Division

1. Hannah Schlegel (Orangetheory Delaware) – 8.07 miles - $20 prize to be awarded to SL24: Unlocke the Light Foundation

2. Alison McCann (Team Chuck)- 8.00 miles

3. Cynthia Benedict (Team Chuck) – 7.78 miles

Men's Individual Run, Row, Bike Division

1. Adam Donlan (University of Delaware Men's Crew)- 9.22 miles - $20 prize to be awarded to University of Delaware Men's Crew

2. Jon McCann (Team Chuck) – 9.18 miles

3. Luis Padilla (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 9.12 miles

Run, Row, Bike Women's Team Division

1. 2020 Vision (M. Lester, L. Cooper, D. Toone) – 22.36 miles - $20 prize to be awarded to Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation

2. Givin' It A Tri (J. Lester, C. Prettyman, D. Hufford) – 19.95 miles

3. Delaware Hospice (J. Saienni, A. Norris, J. Saienga) – 19.65 miles

Run, Row, Bike Men's Team Division

1. UD Men's Crew (Team 1) (Z. AbuAwad, L. Demers, M. Campone) – 29.55 miles - $20 prize to be awarded to UD Men’s Crew

2. Sole Collectors (M. Levenson, J. Liszkiewicz, J. Lileikis) – 21.24 miles

Run, Row, Bike Co-Ed M, M, F Division

1. Kirkwood Fitness (M. Jackson, P. Wick, C. Weible) – 22.18 miles - $20 prize to be awarded to atTAcK Addiction

Medley Co-Ed W, W, M Team Division

1. Team Valentine (A. Valentine - run, J. Valentine - row, A. Valentine - bike) – 7.73 miles - $20 prize to be awarded to Strive: How Your Lead Matters

2. Combined Campaign for Justice (I. Lima - run, R. Lima - row, I. Lima - bike) – 6.19 miles

Medley Co-Ed M, M, W Team Division

1. Diamond Chiropractic (V. Wright - run, C. Bakomenko - row, M. Weik - bike) – 9.38 miles - $25 prize to be awarded to Brandywine Valley SPCA

2. TRI-ing for Trisomy 21 (D. Halsey - run, J. Gary - row, S. Gary - bike) – 6.19 miles

Medley Men's Team Division

1. Harrumph Team Tri-Umph (B. Martinenza -run, J. Emerson - row, J. Bartolomeo - bike) – 8.51 miles - $20 to be awarded to Caesar Rodney Rotary Club Foundation

Fixed Distance Women's Division (2 mile run, 2K row, 5 mile bike)

1. Julie Tuminello (Team Chuck) 45:03 (16:27 / 9:30 / 19:06) - $20 to be awarded to Light Up the Queen Foundation
   2(t).    Sara Chandler (Delaware Hospice) – 49:30 (17:35 / 9:17 / 22:38)
   2(t).    Lauren Camp Gates (TRI-ing for Trisomy 21) – 49:30 (20:43 / 9:53 / 18:54)

Fixed Distance Men's Division (2 mile run, 2K row, 5 mile bike)

1. Stephen Reaves (Legion Transformation) – 41:06 (14:38 / 8:02 / 18:26) - $20 to be awarded to Attack Addiction

2. Eric Rieger (Individual) – 44:41 (15:48 / 8:28 / 20:25)

3. Bryce Gates (TRI-ing for Trisomy 21) – 52:05 (18:16 / 9:12 / 24:37)

Men’s Overall 2019 Top Times (Combined Distance, All Divisions)

1. Michael Campone (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 10.19 miles 

2. Zacharia AbuAwad (University of Delaware Men's Crew)  – 10.03 miles

3. Luke Demers (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 9.33 miles

Men's Overall 2019 Top Times (Treadmill)

1. Michael Campone (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 2.51 miles

2. Zacharia AbuAwad (University of Delaware Men's Crew)  – 2.47 miles

3. Jon McCann (Team Chuck) – 2.39 miles

Men's Overall 2019 Top Times (Erg)

1. Luke Demers (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 4101 meters (2.55 miles)

2. John Williams (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 4032 meters (2.51 miles)

3. Douglas Cochran (Orangetheory Delaware) – 4005 meters (2.49 miles)

Men's Overall 2019 Top Times (Spin Bike)

1. Michael Campone (University of Delaware Men's Crew) – 5.3 miles 

2. Zacharia AbuAwad (University of Delaware Men's Crew)  – 5.1 miles

3. Matt Weik (Diamond Chiropractic) – 4.9 miles

Women’s Overall 2019 Top Times (Combined Distance, All Divisions)

1. Hannah Schlegel (Orangetheory Delaware) – 8.07 miles

2. Lauren Cooper (2020 Vision) – 8.01 miles

3. Alison McCann (Team Chuck) – 8.00 miles

Women’s Overall 2019 Top Times (Treadmill)

1. Vanessa Wright (Diamond Chiropractic) – 2.22 miles

2. Alison McCann (Team Chuck)  – 2.14 miles

3. Lauren Cooper (2020 Vision) – 2.02 miles

Women’s Overall 2019 Top Times (Erg)

1. Karen Parker (Team Chuck) – 3346 meters (2.08 miles)

2. Ingrid Yerger (Team Chuck) – 3342 meters (2.08 miles)

3. Nancy Harding (Legion Transformation) – 3340 meters (2.08 miles)

Women’s Overall 2019 Top Times (Spin Bike)

1. Jacqueline Lester (Givin' It a Tri) – 4.4 miles
   2(t). Christi Reaves (Legion Transformation) – 4.3 miles
   2(t). Ruth Stafford (Legion Transformation) – 4.3 miles
   2(t). Nicole Maragus (Individual) – 4.3 miles
   2(t). Darcie Toone (2020 Vision) – 4.3 miles 

Thank you to our many great volunteers who helped out at this year’s event!

The Orangetheory Delaware team competed for SL24: Unlocke the Light. Team Captain Hannah Schlegel won the Run, Row, Bike Women's Individual Triathlon Division.

2020 Vision Team Captain Meghan Lester finishes up the rowing leg in her heat at the Run, Row, Bike Indoor Triathlon. Team 2020 won the Run, Row, Bike Women's Team Division.

More than 100 competitors finished the indoor triathlon this year!

The next Delaware Charity Challenge event is the First State Duathlon, an 11 mile trail duathlon at Bellevue State Park on Saturday, July 18. The fun and family friendly race is for fans of trail biking and running and is open to individuals or relay teams of two or three.

The Delaware Charity Challenge Winter Games, including the Run, Row, Bike Indoor Triathlon, return in 2021 on Saturday, January 9 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.

For more information about the Delaware Charity Challenge, visit delawarecharitychallenge.com. To donate to one of the nonprofits selected by the teams in the Winter Race to Raise competition, visit www.challengeDE.com. To sign up for the July 18 First State Duathlon, visit firststateduo.com.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Download a copy of our press release here.

Team TRI-ing for Trisomy 21 competed for Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. Teammates Alexis Drew (pictured here), Lauren Camp Gates, and Bryce Gates competed in the Run, Row, Bike Fixed Distance Division. Photo credit: Kevin Francis / Local Boy Productions.

Team Combined Campaign for Justice Team finished 2nd in the Medley Co-Ed W, W, M Division. Photo credit: Kevin Francis / Local Boy Productions.

Team Chuck had several competitors compete on behalf of Light up the Queen Foundation. Photo credit: Kevin Francis / Local Boy Productions.

Thank you to all of our Legion Transformation competitors! Photo credit: Kevin Francis / Local Boy Productions.

Thank you to Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and to Annette Fletcher, Ms. Fashion Global 2020 for stopping by and cheering on our competitors in this year’s Delaware Charity Challenge Winter Games!