BY: RACHEL WUMKES

Pulling off an event as extensive as TRI Clear Lake is no simple feat.  Countless hours go into the planning, preparation, and execution on race day.  Organization and logistical prowess are key elements is the success or failure of such an undertaking.

But the biggest aspect in making TRI Clear Lake all it has become today?  Well, it’s the PEOPLE!

The sponsors, the volunteers, community members, committee, public officials, and the athletes themselves.  Without all these people, we would be a mess.  A complete disaster.

Instead, by working together, we’ve been able to make TRI Clear Lake a PREMIER race in the Midwest.  Throughout the years, even with the insertion of a global pandemic to put a wrench in our plans, the event has grown.  And grown.  And grown some more.

This year, we had 550 athletes registered, bringing thousands of visitors to our community.  Even with the crazy-cold temperature on race day, it was still a fabulously wonderful display of athleticism and community.

And so, as always, this is our GREAT BIG THANK YOU to everyone who was involved.  Without each and every one of you, we simply wouldn’t be able to pull it off.  So, we thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts, for your dedication and commitment to making TRI Clear Lake such an incredible experience for these athletes.

VOLUNTEERS:  Whether you were on the run course, bike course, helped with set up or tear down, at the finish line or in transition… YOU ARE ALL ROCK STARS.  It takes a special person to give up their time to do something for someone else, and y’all have hearts of gold.

THE COMMUNITY: Road closures can be a drag, I totally understand.  We’d like to thank the ENTIRE community of Clear Lake… residents and business owners… for being so gracious and accommodating throughout the entire weekend.

THE COMMITTEE:  Your service to this event and the Chamber organization is beyond anything we can possibly begin to thank.  We wouldn’t be half the event we’ve become without your commitment to excellence and dedication to community.

CITY OF CLEAR LAKE/ POLICE, FIRE, & PUBLIC WORKS: It seems no matter what Trish throws your way, each and every department in the City handles it with grace and ease.  Thank you, good and faithful servants of Clear Lake, for stepping up to keep us safe.  For going above and beyond – and even further at times (if that’s possible) to ensure every detail is handled.

THE ATHLETES: They come from far and wide, lugging their gear.  Triathletes are a breed I may never understand.  They love this sport with a passion and fire that burns deep inside them, pushing their bodies to the limit.  Yet, as we cheer them on from the sidelines, they smile and wave and say ‘thank you’ to our volunteers.  THANK YOU for coming, and we hope to see you next year!

THE SPONSORS: We’d literally be nothing without each and every business and individual who stepped up to sponsor this event.  Whether it was monetary or an in-kind donation, your support is invaluable in creating a quality race for our athletes.  THANK YOU seems like a weak gesture.  I wish we could magically spike your sales for a month or buy you all a pony.  It’s like something out of a fairy tale where so many incredible businesses stepped up to make this event the best of the best.

**Headine Sponsor**

Skip’s Kicks

**Gold Sponsors**

Clear Lake Bank & Trust

Bob’s Marine/Jenny Kopriva

Kurt’s Bars

CLTel

Athletico

Curries Assa Abloy

**Silver Sponsors**

Rookies/Sevens/Tap’d

Cookies Etc (in kind donation of 500 cookies)

Snyder Construction

McKesson

We Care Chiropractic

Heartland Asphalt

Kingland Systems

NextEra Energy (CG and Hancock Wind Farms)

**Bronze Sponsors** 

Sorenson Family Dentistry

YohnCo

First Gabrielson Agency

Freedom Boat Club

American Solutions for Business

**Mile Marker Sponsors**

Farmers State Bank

Basic Birder CL

Surf Ballroom

CL Rotary (run)

CL Rotary (bike)

Fareway

Cleaning Solutions

Sunset Sharky’s

Movement Solutions

In Memory of Chuck Myers

MBT

Johnson Fitness