The triumphant smiles and proud cheers of this year’s Tri My Best Adaptive Triathlon participants and families shone through the chilly Sunday morning drizzle. More than 400 volunteers—twice the amount from the first triathlon four years ago—from several different groups helped out, including various Washington University sports teams and clubs, Webster Grove community organizations, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and volunteers from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Over 60 participants traveled from the St. Louis area, as well as from all over the Midwest, to take part in the triathlon, generously hosted through a collaboration between Children’s Hospital and Washington University.

In the first leg of the triathlon, the swimming portion, groups of families and volunteers stood around the pool and created cheers for each of the participants. The energy in the room was palpable, as participants grinned and made their way across the pool, with the assistance of helpers and adaptive devices. Maya, a participant for her second year in a row, said that this leg was her favorite part of the event, in addition to the overall support she received from everyone around her. Her excitement about Wash. U.’s baseball team coming out to cheer her on was boundless. She proudly remarked that this event has furthered her interest in other athletic events in the future.

Courtney Dunn, a member of the organizational team and coordinator of the after-party, was excited to see the turnout of volunteers at the event. Dunn’s involvement with the event began at Children’s Hospital, where she works as a physical therapist in the Carol and Paul Hatfield Cerebral Palsy Sports and Rehabilitation Center. When asked about how the event came to Wash. U. in its first year, she remarked about the outreach from the Wash. U. Triathlon Club, who offered to host the triathlon right on campus. Ever since then, the University has continued to support the event, providing space and facilities for the past four years.

While there was an astounding number of volunteers for this event, there’s always a need for more support. Dunn said that the Adaptive Sports Program in Children’s Hospital is open year-round, and offers various classes such as dance, swimming and basketball for patients at the Cerebral Palsy Sports and Rehabilitation Center. Involvement in this program is a great way for Wash. U. students to take part in an expansive effort to make the St. Louis community more accessible and welcoming for people with different abilities. Some of the clubs on campus that advocate and uplift people with disabilities, such as Best Buddies and Ability, are always looking for more members to further the efforts of inclusion and normalization of easily accessible resources for everyone.

Kathryn Tavanaugh, a physical therapy assistant at Children’s Hospital, said that the best part about the event is “watching the participants faces as they finish each leg of the race, and seeing their personalities come to life.” For many of the participants, this triathlon is one of the biggest opportunities they have to perform athletically. This year, several families and friends came donning team shirts for their loved ones and gripping large signs personalized for participants. Tavanaugh also remarked that the campus is “open, accessible and clean”—a great combination of attributes for an event of this magnitude for people with different abilities.

The last leg of the triathlon was marked by crowds of people whooping and applauding the participants as they made their way across the finish line. Upon crossing the finish line, Evy—a first-time participant—said that her favorite part of the day was swimming, and her mother Jenny exclaimed that Evy “hasn’t stopped smiling since she got in the pool!” Evy’s face clearly conveyed her excitement as she and the other participants proudly displayed their medals and continued enjoying the festivities of the day.