36th annual Naples Fitness Challenge returns with over 400 fierce competitors
The Naples Fitness Challenge took place for its 36th annual installment with over 400 athletes competing Sunday morning.
Sunday’s event featured three different fitness challenges, including the reverse sprint triathlon, relay team divisions and a new challenge in the reverse sprint duathlon.
Queens University graduate student and Naples resident Dan O’Dell secured a second consecutive first-place finish in the triathlon.
“I'm just really happy to be out here,” O’Dell said. “I was sick all my senior year of college for cross country and track, so I was just super happy the weather cooperated. Just a nice morning, great people out here, just happy to be a part of this.”
The First Baptist Academy alum finished this year’s triathlon with a time of 47:54.4, nearly three minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. O’Dell who has competed in the event since he was an eighth grader hopes to return next year to defend his crown.
“It's just a fun event to be a part of,” O’Dell said. “If it’s back next year, I’ll be here for sure.”
Naples resident Brooke Kelley was the first female competitor to cross the finish line, finishing with a time of 57:23.7.
“I moved down here right before COVID hit actually, so I've been really excited to compete in this event for the past couple of years,” Kelley said. “It's great that it's back and everyone was so positive on the course.”
Kelley, a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Rhode Island, began training for triathlons in the off-season to stay in shape will now continue to train for triathlons full-time.
“My favorite part was the swim because I'm a swimmer,” Kelley added. “It was crazy for me to come into the water after riding the bike and the run. My legs have never felt that way before, so it was very challenging, but it was fun.”
Erik Mogelvang of Naples took home first place in the men’s duathlon with a time of 54:50.2, while Glenn Watkins finished atop of the women’s ranks finishing in just under the hour mark with a time of 59:35.5.
“The family and the atmosphere and being able to do this on the beach, on the golf course and on Gulfshore Boulevard is great,” Watkins said.
Triathlon
Men’s Top 5
1. Dan O’Dell, Naples FL, 47:54.4; 2. Aubrey Aldy, Naples FL, 50:44.1; 3. Anthony Aguilera, Naples FL, 52:26.0; 4. Ross Lenehan, Cape Coral FL, 53:25.4; 5. Anthony Renda, Naples FL, 54:58.3
Women’s Top 5
1. Brooke Kelley, Naples FL, 57:23.7; 2. Mallory Reinoso, Naples FL, 59:53.6, 3. Latifah Lowery, Naples FL, 1:00:34.3; 4. Lori Robbins, Fort Myers FL, 1:00:57.8; 5. Cailin Weidenmiller, Naples FL, 1:01:39.0
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 36th annual Naples Fitness Challenge
