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LVTC Happenings!
A monthly report of events and resources for our passionate, growing local multisport community.
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A Time for Thankfulness!
November is a month of gratitude, and in this issue, we celebrate what makes our triathlon community truly special. Triathlon may be an individual sport, but it’s the collective spirit of support, camaraderie, and shared experiences that keeps us all moving forward.
This month’s newsletter is packed with highlights that showcase the essence of our club:
- Volunteer Appreciation: We celebrate the dedication of our amazing volunteers with the 2024 Glasser Award, presented to Yoshi Matsumoto, and our Ambassador Awards recognizing key contributors. Their selfless efforts embody the spirit of #thatsthevegasway.
- President’s Corner: Reflect on the power of gratitude and the support systems that make triathlon possible, whether it’s family, friends, or fellow athletes. Take a moment to appreciate the journey and the people who make it meaningful.
- Coaches Corner: Gain a coach’s perspective on gratitude and how embracing thankfulness fuels success, resilience, and a positive mindset.
- The New Triathlete: Discover why gratitude is a transformative force for beginners, helping to turn challenges into lessons and fostering a deeper appreciation for the journey.
- Legacy Scholarship Spotlight: Learn about the ongoing impact of the Las Vegas Triathlon Club Legacy Scholarship, honoring TEAMG and supporting athletes in need. This program is a testament to the strength and generosity of our community.
As you explore this issue, we encourage you to reflect on your own journey and the many people and moments that have brought you to where you are today. Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good sentiment—it’s a powerful way to connect with others, appreciate your progress, and fuel the road ahead.
Let’s close out the season with hearts full of thanks and an unwavering commitment to the values that make our club unique. Together, we are fearless. Together, we are a family.
Happy November, LV Tri Family!
#fearless #lvtrifamily #enjoythejourney #thrive #thatsthevegasway
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Club Hashtags
Use these hashtags in your social media posts to help share the Las Vegas Triathlon Club themes and highlight our endurance community culture:
#fearless – This represents the beauty of taking on challenges of multisport and enjoying the rewards!
#thatsthevegasway – We made this theme as a way to point out the things that members do (e.g., loaning bikes, helping others, ...) that promote our club culture.
#enjoythejourney – This theme was selected to emphasize the importance of enjoying training and the overall process of preparing for an event/race.
#lvtrifamily – This theme was to emphasize the importance of our endurance community and to recognize that, even though triathlon is an individual sport, we never do this alone!
#thrive – This was our 2023 theme that was selected to emphasize that triathlon should bring value to all aspects of our lives.
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Sponsors
The Las Vegas Triathlon Club is a 501c(3) organization that is 100% operated by volunteers. Our annual operating budget is about $10,000-$12,000. Sponsorships are incredibly helpful for us to meet cover our operating costs and keep membership prices reasonable. You can read more about sponsorships HERE:
A huge thank you to each of our 2025 Sprint Level Sponsors!
- CORE Mental Health Services
- Elevate Sports Performance & Healthcare
- Elevation Physical Therapy
- Respect The Distance Coaching
- UNLV Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences
- UNLV SPEED Lab
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2025 Kits
New LVTC Kits Are Coming Soon!
We’re excited to share some updates about our 2025 kits! After exploring a few different vendors, we’ve decided to go with Cupcke for this year’s design. Their smooth Italian fabric, comfortable Italian chamois, and showstopping design options made them the perfect choice for our club.
The kits are nearly finalized, and we can’t wait to share them with you! The store will be opening soon, so get ready to snag this amazing gear for your collection.
For now, here are a few hints about what’s coming:
- A bold and dynamic look that represents the #fearless energy of our club.
- Colors and patterns that will stand out at any event.
- Thoughtful details that tie into what makes our team unique.
We’ll be sharing the final design and store timeline shortly. Stay tuned for more updates!
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2025 Membership
We are going to open Club membership January 1st, 2025! Memberships will run through December 31st, 2025. All club events are free with membership!
Our multi-sports events are typically between 50 and 75 athletes. We are not ‘… just another triathlon.’ Instead, we have a great ‘grassroots’ feel to our events during which members can get to know members.
All levels of athletes are welcome at our events. We have athletes completing their first event and have even had professional triathletes in our events!
But we offer more than just our four multi-sport events. We have clinics, podcasts, get-togethers, and help members connect with each other through social media channels.
We have the following membership categories:
- Single membership: $75
- Family membership: $95
- Up to 4 immediate family members.
- Family members must reside in the same residence or shared residence.
- Student membership: $40
- Full time students only.
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Las Vegas Triathlon Club Events
Save the dates! The tentative dates for the 2025 season are as follows:
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| 4/19/25 | Saturday | Sprint Triathlon
Swim 750m; Bike 20km; Run 5km | | 6/15/25 | Sunday | Sprint Triathlon
Swim 750m; Bike 20km; Run 5km | | 7/12/25 | Saturday | Aquabike
Swim 750m; Bike 20km | | 8/10/25 | Sunday | NEW EVENT!
2X Super Sprint Triathlon
Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km, Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km
YES! 2X Super Sprint!! | | |
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Continue to check our Facebook Group for other happenings in our endurance community.
Here are the results of our 2024 events:
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Volunteer Appreciation
The 2024 Glasser Award
The Las Vegas Triathlon Club is a 501c(3) organization that is 100% operated by volunteers. We have so many great volunteers - and each year we like to recognize a volunteer that goes above the call through the ‘Glasser Award’. This award is named for Past President Shawna Glasser for her leadership and dedication to the club.
This year, the Glasser Award goes to Yoshi Matsumoto!
As a Board Member of the Las Vegas Triathlon Club, Yoshi maintains our membership. He reaches out to new members and connects with returning members. This is such an important role for the club.
But, maybe even more importantly, Yoshi is a leader in welcoming people to our group … you’ll see him at every event welcoming everyone to the event! His friendly approach and kind smile is infectious – he really sets a positive culture for our club.
You’ll also find Yoshi being one of the first people to arrive for the event set up and one of the last to leave. His dedication to making each event run smoothly is invaluable.
Thank you Yoshi and Congratulations!
Ambassador Awards
This year, the LVTC Board decided to recognize 2024 Ambassadors that really step forward to help the club. Here are the 2024 Ambassador Awards:
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Quyen Luu: She is the Editor of our fantastic Newsletter! You’ll also see Quyen at our events checking everyone in (and keeping everyone calm pre-race!).
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Robert Picardo: Robert has taken on organization of the swim segment of our events. He has raised the bar in terms of professionalism, organization, and safety of our swims.
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David Lehrner: David is such a positive influence in our club. He is active in all our LVTC meetings, provides encouraging support to others in the club online and in person, and helps set up / take down our events and races them too!
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Raymond Gamboa: If you’ve been to one of our events, you’ve seen Raymond! He is either helping or racing (or both!). On top of that, he engages his family to volunteer for the events and just a super positive influence in our community.
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Socials/Training Events/Education
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Check out and subscribe to our calendar feature (a continuing work-in-progress):
Las Vegas Triathlon Club Calendar
Here are the tentative dates for our 2025 Club events (we are submitting permit requests for these dates):
- 4/19/25: Saturday - Sprint Triathlon
- Registration opens March 1st
- 6/15/25: Sunday - Sprint Triathlon
- Registration opens May 1st
- 7/12/25: Saturday - Aquabike
- Registration opens June 1st
- 8/10/25: Sunday - 2X Super Sprint Tri
- Registration opens July 1st
Sprint Triathlon: Swim 750m; Bike 20km; Run 5km.
Aquabike: Swim 750m; Bike 20km.
2X Super Sprint Triathlon: Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km, Swim 300m, Bike 4km, Run 1.6km.
Continue to check our Facebook Group for any additional get-togethers that may be happening, and for locals who are training in town or down at Lake Mead. Post your workouts!
Thanks everyone!
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Past President
The Month of Thanks
With November being the month that reminds us to be thankful, how does this relate to triathlon?
I write cards to friends doing their first triathlon or a hard event. I let them know that they trained enough. They are enough. They embarked on this challenge to find out more about themselves. The good and the bad. Most importantly, I remind them to be thankful for the ability to be able to do these things. Some people have physical limitations and can’t. Some people live in places where they don’t have access to train like we do or don’t have the freedoms to train like we do. Some people don’t have the financial resources for the triathlon gear or the races.
I will tell them in the course of their day, to look up and appreciate the scenery around them. To be thankful for the beautify on the course. To be grateful to their bodies for the training. To say to themselves, “I get to do this!’
Part of this, of course, comes from having great support at home. Spouses who pick up slack at home. Friends who travel with us and spend hours standing around for that 30 seconds they can see us. Never forget those sacrifices that helped you arrive at the start line. November is a great month to remind you to say “thank you.”
Always use November as that month to reset and remind yourself how great you have it.
~Shawna Glasser
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The New Triathlete
Gratitude: The Universal Law
When we are starting out on our triathlon journey, we don’t know how to train, we don’t know what to eat, and our equipment, if we even have it, is not the best. We are full of ‘want’ for better equipment, and we often get injured from improper training.
New triathletes, I’d like you to do an experiment. The next time you have a need, a want, an injury, or a ‘deficit’ of any kind that you want to fix or obtain, make this the very first step in your process to getting it: First, do an assessment of how fortunate you are. There are many aspects of your life that other people only dream about. Your warm home, the food you had for breakfast, the old mountain bike that brought you this far in your triathlon journey, the people in the club who support you and want you to succeed. Call these things to the forefront of your mind and thank God, the Universe, or even your lucky stars for all of these. Then look at the very deficit itself. Consider the lessons you’ve learned from the trials and tribulations you’re going through. All my injuries have made me train smarter and have made me a more efficient triathlete. If you want a new bike, think about how your old heavy one got you started. Think about how its heavy weight made you stronger. Be sincerely thankful for what you have, what you’ve gone through, and what you’ve learned as a result.
The universal law that I’ve experienced time after time is that when you focus on what you lack, when you focus on your deficits, you gravitate towards even more misery. But when you focus on what you have -- and are thankful for it -- you will be rewarded tenfold with more. Gratitude and thankfulness are two of the most powerful forces in the universe.
~Bob Gamble
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LVTC Member Spotlight
We'll have new episodes soon!
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The Evidence-Based Triathlete
We are taking a little break … we’ll be back! In the meantime, enjoy these previous episodes:
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Where in the World Has Our TRI Club Raced?
Check out the map below to see where our athletes have raced!
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Prez Corner:
The Power of Gratitude
As triathletes, we know the journey to the finish line is as important as the finish itself. With November upon us, this is a perfect time to reflect on what matters most and embrace the power of gratitude.
Triathlon is an individual sport, but we never do it alone. Each of us has a support system, whether it’s a cheering family member, a training friend who motivates us on tough days, or a coach who sees our potential. Take a moment to thank them. Our ability to train, race, and dream big is a gift, made possible not just by our drive, but by the sacrifices and encouragement of others around us.
Let’s also remember to be thankful for our bodies and their ability to rise to challenges. Every swim, pedal stroke, and step forward is a privilege. Not everyone has the freedom, health, or resources to chase their dreams like we do. So, as we wrap up this season and as you lace up your running shoes, hit the pool, or bundle up for a bike ride, take a moment to say, “I get to do this.”
Finally, November is about being thankful for our fantastic triathlon community. The willingness to share equipment, experience, time, and encouragement while enjoying a laugh during a group ride, giving a friendly pat on the back, or a high five during an event makes me feel a strong sense of ‘Thanks’ to our endurance community.
“That’s the Vegas way” is not just a hashtag … it’s a mindset that makes us more than athletes; it makes us family.
So, as we give thanks this month, let’s carry that gratitude into our winter training and races. Because when we’re thankful for the journey, when we are thankful for others who support us, every milestone becomes a celebration for everyone.
#thatsthevegasway #fearless #enjoythejourney #lvtrifamily
~John Mercer
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Coach's Corner:
Be Thankful: A Coach's Perspective
As athletes, we spend so much time focused on what’s next—the next training session, the next race, the next goal. But this time of year is perfect for pausing to reflect on where we are right now and all the people and moments that brought us here.
For me, as a coach, gratitude is a cornerstone of success. It’s not just about saying “thank you” when someone holds the door or cheers us on race day. It’s about truly recognizing and appreciating the people, circumstances, and opportunities that shape us into stronger, more resilient athletes—and humans.
What I’m Thankful For
1. The Journey
Every race I’ve completed, every setback I’ve faced, and every athlete I’ve coached has been a part of this incredible journey. The wins are sweet, but the tough days have taught me lessons I now pass on to all of you. They’ve shown me the importance of grit, patience, and a sense of humor when things go sideways.
2. My Support Crew
Behind every finish line photo, there’s a team—family, friends, training partners, and coaches who kept me going. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible support, including all of you and I know many of you rely on your own “crew” to make your goals possible.
3. All Athletes
Yes, that’s you! Watching you set ambitious goals, push through tough training blocks, and show up for yourselves inspires me daily. You remind me why I became a coach—to help people like you unlock confidence and potential you didn’t know you had.
Who Should We Thank?
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re balancing training with work, family, and life’s many demands. Take a moment to thank:
Your Support System
Whether it’s a partner who sacrifices weekends for your long rides, a friend who listens to your race recap (in exhaustive detail), or a coach who reminds you to hydrate (yes, I’m looking at you)—thank them.
Your Body
It may not always feel perfect, but it shows up for you every day. Thank it for the early morning swims, the long runs, and the rides where the headwind builds character. Do you have that massage booked?
Your Past Self
That version of you who signed up for a race when you were scared, who laced up shoes on a cold morning, or who took the first step toward becoming a triathlete—thank them for being brave enough to start.
A Final Thought
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good exercise; it’s a tool for growth. When you acknowledge what you have and who’s helped you, it fuels a positive mindset. And as athletes, that mindset is the difference between giving up and pushing forward when the going gets tough.
So, as we close out this year, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Write down who and what you’re thankful for. Maybe even share it with them. Because when we train and race from a place of gratitude, every step, pedal stroke, and stroke feels a little lighter.
Thank you to you all for letting me be part of your journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help you respect the distance—and discover what you’re capable of.
~Hilary Mauch
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Have you met these Coaches?
Triathlon race season is here. Do you have a coach? Are you looking for one? Well, the Las Vegas Triathlon Club is going to try to help make some connections.
Earlier this year, we sent out a google form to try to capture our local coaching expertise. We had a number of coaches (all are members of Las Vegas Triathlon Club) respond and we have featured them on this webpage:
Las Vegas Triathlon Club Coaches
We are going to continue to highlight coaches on our web page – if you would like to be part of that, please fill out this form.
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The Las Vegas Triathlon Club Legacy Scholarship
On 12/10/20, five Las Vegas athletes were killed when an impaired driver ran into a group of cyclists. The athletes were Tom Trauger, Erin Ray, Aksoy Ahmet, Michael Murray, and Gerrard Nieva. These five athletes are endearingly referred to as TEAMG (Tom, Erin, Aksoy, Michael, and Gerrard).
Following their deaths, there has been an upswell of community support for the families and survivors directly affected. There has also been a renewed call for action to create a safer environment for our athletes to train here in the Greater Las Vegas Valley.
The purpose of the Las Vegas Triathlon Club Legacy Scholarship is to honor the legacy of TEAMG as well as any local triathletes who have been killed or injured as result of distracted driving. The Legacy Scholarship is designed to encourage involvement in triathlon by new athletes, youth athletes, and/or continuing athletes in special need.
More information about the scholarship can be found at this page.
The list of our Scholarship Awardees can be found at these pages:
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
This scholarship continues thanks to a generous donation by an anonymous donor.
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