It's the hills that make the Memory Maker triathlon fun, competitors said after Saturday's event.
After swimming 500 or 1,500 meters in Lake Windsor, almost 100 participants went on to bike and run a steep course near London Landing as part of the annual event to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
On Monday, race director Tracy Byrd said she didn't yet know how much money was raised, but the race, she said, was a success.
"The Bella Vista Fire Department Water Rescue -- amazing; the Police Department -- amazing; the (Bella Vista) Men's Chorus -- amazing; the volunteers -- amazing," she said.
Although there were a few minor scrapes, there were no significant accidents, she said.
There were two courses for the triathlon: a sprint distance made up of a 500-meter swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride and a 5-kilometer run. The longer Olympic distance was made up of a 1,500-meter swim, a 24.8-mile bike ride and a 10-kilometer run.
New this year was the Aquaswim event, which included a swim and a bike ride.
"It's always a great race with all the hills," Christopher Hyatt said. He was the first finisher of all three sprint events.
"I used to swim in college, and I just wanted to keep competing," he said.
"I love biking, swimming and running, so it's a good way to turn your hobbies into something to support," Richard Stowe said. He was standing with a group of friends after the race, including Chip Beard.
"It's a friendly competition and camaraderie between friends," Beard said.
Austin Hoover said it was his first triathlon and the hills were harder than he expected, but it was worth it.
Steve Lisle was part of a three-person team. In the past, he competed for the fun of it, but this year, he said, he was competing for his grandfather, who has Alzheimer's.
Sports on 08/27/2014