Carbondale Reporter

John A. Logan College recently issued the following announcement.

HerrinFesta has handed its annual triathlon over to capable hands as a John A. Logan College fitness employee is playing a major role in organizing this year’s event.

April Martinez, director of recreation education and outreach programs at the College’s Health Education Complex, is helping to organize the 12th annual triathlon, affectionately named the “JALC Tri-Festa.”

While HerrinFesta remains a major sponsor, it no longer organizers the popular event.

Martinez said this year’s event will honor Dr. Charles W. Rubright, a longtime supporter and organizer of the Tri-Festa, who passed away last year at the age of 46.

“There will be a moment of silence before the race begins,” Martinez said. “He was well-known and well-liked among Tri community and the participants and he will be greatly missed this year.”

The event takes place on Saturday, May 26, beginning with registration at John A. Logan College from 6 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. A pre-race meeting will be held at 7:45 a.m. before the 8 a.m. start.

The race includes a quarter-mile swim in the College’s pool, a 14-mile bike ride, and a 5K.

Participants will receive a free ticket to the May 30 Southern Illinois Miners baseball game and each participant will also be called out on to the field that evening at Rent One Stadium to be recognized alongside Rubright’s family.

Cost to join the race is $50 per person or $100 per team (up to three people).

Rubright was a chiropractor and an endurance athlete. He enjoyed competing and organizing triathlons. He finished two Ironman distance triathlons, many other triathlons of various distances and numerous road races of distances up to 100 miles.

“He was an extraordinary person and athlete,” Martinez said of Rubright.

Original source can be found here.