PHOTOS: Gaylord Hospital’s Para-Triatheletes Compete in Madison – Part Two

Posted Sep 09, 2012

Photos by Mara Lavitt
The Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Sports Association in partnership with the Greater Hartford YMCA fielded its first para-triathalete team to compete in the Dave Parcells Madison Triathalon at the Surf Club in Madison. The team athletes all had some form of physical disability, which can include vision impairment. The athletes all hit the course with volunteer guides who partner them throughout the race. Today the water was too choppy so the triathalon ended up being a duathalon. More photos are in Part One here: http://tinyurl.com/8dvlus2

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Erin Spaulding of Branford who had a head, neck and shoulder injury over two years ago with her guide Daren Casey of Plainville behind her. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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Another volunteer pit crew moves Scott MacDonald of North Haven from a wheelchair to a hand cycle. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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Guide Kathie Wynkoop of Plainville behind Christopher Nunez on a hand cycle. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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Tom Branchaud of West Simsbury on a hand cycle with guide Sue Grigely of Simsbury running behind him. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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Guide Sue Grigely of Simsbury behindTom Branchaud of West Simsbury on hand cycles start out on the bike course. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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David Alejandro of Naugatuck is connected at the wrist with guide Tom Hislop of Newtown, during one of the running sections. Alejandro has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, and is visually impaired. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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David Alejandro of Naugatuck on a tandem bike with guide Tom Hislop of Newtown. Alejandro has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, and is visually impaired. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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Scott MacDonald of North Haven after finishing the race on his push chair. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12
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David Alejandro of Naugatuck, still connected at the wrist with guide Tom Hislop of Newtown moments after crossing the finish line. Alejandro has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, and is visually impaired. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register 9/8/12