Yearly Competition Remembers a Fellow Triathalete
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It is the ultimate test in skill, strength, and perhaps, above all, stamina.
Anyone who's ever participated in a triathlon knows how much it takes just to get to the starting line. To finish is an even greater accomplishment.
Heather Boyum knew how much it meant.
"She really believed that you took every opportunity you had in life and you just went for it. Didn't matter what it ended up as, but you tried," said friend Bonnie Venton.
"She loved doing it. She was a swimmer in high school and college, so she liked races like this because it kind of equalized her. The swimming was an equal part of the race," said husband Eric Boyum.
The Fairport school teacher trained often for swimming, running and biking. On a summer afternoon this past July, Heather was killed.
Struck by a motorcycle driving recklessly, and run over by a car driven by a woman police say was drunk.
"It's a loss. A huge loss. Shameful. And unnecessary," said friend Karin Kellman.
"It was very tragic to see what happened to her because, I think all of us who do the sport felt like that could have happened to any of us," said Ricardo Figueroa of the YMCA.
This year's triathlon at the Eastside YMCA was dedicated to Heather.
"It's such a great opportunity to be able to give back, to the community and Heather's family, especially her children who are without such a fantastic mom," said Kellman.
The Y presented a check, in the amount of $1,000 dollars to Boyum's husband.
The money raised will help pay for Eric and Heather Boyum's two young children's college educations.
"It means a lot that they thought of us," said Boyum.
Eric Boyum says his family is doing the best it can, losing a wife, and a mother. They were there last year when Heather won the woman's triathlon.
"Yup, she was always proud to win, and we were proud to watch her do it," he said.
"It means everything. When somebody dies so suddenly and so young, I think the biggest fear is, will people remember?" said Venton.
Well over 100 athletes kicked pedalled and pushed their way to the finish line.
In the close-knit triathlon community there's no chance anyone will forget.
"It's very comforting, because the pain is no less than it was on July 29th," said Venton.