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LVTC Happenings!
A monthly report of events and resources for our passionate, growing local multisport community.
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Welcome to the November Issue of the LVTC Newsletter!
As we head into the close of another season, this month’s newsletter brings together a collection of stories and reflections built around a theme that sits at the heart of our community ... Finish lines and friendships. Whether you’re new to the sport or a long-time member, this issue highlights just how much those connections shape our triathlon journey.
Inside, you’ll find a variety of voices from across our LVTC family. The President’s Corner shares a reflection on how friendships can start in unexpected moments... even on those race mornings when you think you’re showing up alone. Our Coaches Corner dives into the deep bonds that form through shared training, tough conditions, and race-day surprises, reminding us how often the sport gives us the people we didn’t even know we needed. The New Triathlete column adds another layer, exploring how camaraderie can lift us during our hardest miles and make the finish line feel even more meaningful.
You’ll also meet this month’s Stronger Together Spotlight athlete, hear from one of our local experts in the Vegas Experts feature, and catch up on club news, event recaps, upcoming opportunities, and the ongoing impact of our Legacy Scholarship.
As always, this newsletter is a reflection of who we are as a club ... athletes who show up for the sport, but stay because of the people. We hope you enjoy this month’s stories and find inspiration in the many ways our community continues to support, encourage, and celebrate one another.
See you out on the course!
#strongertogether #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:
#strongertogether – This theme reflects the essence of our triathlon community: achieving more through unity, supporting one another, and celebrating the shared journey of multisport life.
#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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Las Vegas Triathlon Club Events
Each year, the Las Vegas Triathlon Club hosts four multisport events. The dates and results of our 2025 events are below:
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You can also check the results from each event at our website.
We also have a variety of events throughout the year. You can view the calendar of events at this link:
Las Vegas Triathlon Club Calendar
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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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
These were the dates for our 2025 Club events:
- 4/26/25: Saturday - Sprint Triathlon
- RESULTS
- 6/15/25: Sunday - Sprint Triathlon
- RESULTS
- 7/12/25: Saturday - Aquabike
- RESULTS
- 8/10/25: Sunday - Super Sprint Tri
- RESULTS
Sprint Triathlon:
Swim 750m; Bike 20km; Run 5km.
Aquabike:
Swim 750m; Bike 20km.
Super Sprint Triathlon:
Swim ~300m, Bike 4 miles, Run 1.5 miles.
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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Coach's Corner:
Finish Lines, Friendships, and the Heart of Triathlon
When I started my triathlon journey nearly fifteen years ago, I thought I was signing up for a sport. Swim. Bike. Run. Pretty straightforward, right?
What I didn’t realize at the time was that triathlon quietly hands you something far more valuable than a medal: your people.
Triathlon friends don’t enter your life politely or gradually. They show up in the moments where you need them most, at the edge of a cold swim, on a windy climb you didn’t mentally prepare for, or at the finish chute when you’re trying to decide if you're about to cry, collapse, or celebrate. Sometimes all three.
For me, these friendships started exactly where most good endurance stories begin: with a coach. I had no idea that hiring one would end up introducing me to someone who’s become one of my favorite humans on the planet, my very good friend Judy. We started out sharing training strategies, then started sharing race weekends, and now we share vacations. Cruises, actually. The running joke is that neither one of us is allowed to book a trip without notifying the other. That’s what happens when triathlon brings two people together, you go from “same training schedule” to “inseparable travel buddy” before you even notice.
And then there are the friendships you never see coming, the ones that appear because you decided to race alone that weekend. The 2019 Ironman 70.3 St. George was that race for me. I signed up on a whim, showed up solo, and slipped into the swim line quietly… only to leave the finish chute with a lifelong friend.
Her name is Jamaica.
We met in line, exchanged the usual nervous-fun pre-race chatter, I shared I was signed up on a whim, she shared that she was doing the relay with her family. She didn’t owe me anything, but what was the big surprise was she ended up catching me at the finish line, because turns out, she was one of the race captains. And moving forward, she continued to catch me at the finish line every time I signed up for that race, including this past year’s “Last Dance”. Those are the friendships that remind you that triathlon has a way of giving you exactly who you need, exactly when you need them.
As a coach, I see this magic happen again and again with my athletes. Yes, they hire me for structure, guidance, and accountability, but the conversations I hear after group runs, the high-fives after long bricks, the “you good?” during open-water swims… that is the real glue. Finish lines don’t feel the same when you’re crossing them alone. They feel different – fuller, when you know someone is waiting for you at the end.
And friendships in this sport aren’t just about celebrating the good days. They’re about the tough ones too. My friend Judy has seen me at my strongest and at my absolute worst. The races I’m proud of and the ones I’d rather file under “let’s not talk about that one.” And she never left. That’s what triathlon friendships do: they stand beside you even when your race doesn’t go to plan… especially when it doesn’t.
So when I think about “Finish Lines and Friendships,” I think about every athlete who has ever shown up scared but determined. I think about the strangers who become training partners, the training partners who become family, and the finish lines that become reunion spots year after year.
This community, our Las Vegas Tri Club community, isn’t defined by pace or podiums. It’s defined by connection. The kind you can’t force, the kind you can’t predict, the kind that makes you sign up for another race (or a cruise) just to have another excuse to keep doing life together.
Here’s to the people who cheer for us, chase us, catch us, and celebrate with us.
Here’s to the friendships built at mile zero, mile fifty-six, mile thirteen, or somewhere in between.
And here’s to every finish line still ahead - because chances are, someone you haven’t even met yet will be waiting for you there.
~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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Las Vegas Triathlon Club Member Spotlight
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The Evidence-Based Triathlete
Check out our previous episodes:
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Prez Corner:
We Don't Do This Alone
As we wrap up another great season with the Las Vegas Triathlon Club, I keep coming back to how often this sport surprises me ... not just with finish times or race conditions, but with the people it brings into our lives.
Triathlon may look like an individual sport, but we all know the truth ... none of us really do this alone.
Over the years, I’ve raced in all kinds of situations. I’ve shown up to plenty of start lines completely on my own, not knowing a single person at the race. And I’ve also raced with close friends by my side, sharing the nerves, the laughs, the long drives, and the post-race stories. What’s funny is that some of my longest lasting friendships actually came from those solo race days. For whatever reason, even though I’m a lone wolf in training, when I’ve raced alone, I often end up meeting someone who became a friend. Triathlon has a way of connecting people who might never cross paths otherwise.
That’s the magic of our endurance community. Whether you arrive with a group or step into transition quietly by yourself, you’re never really on your own for long. A quick chat in the bike rack, a shared comment about the water temperature, a smile on the run ... that’s all it takes for a stranger to become a training partner, and a training partner to become a friend.
Finish lines are special, but they become something more when you cross them knowing you’ve shared the journey with others ... the early mornings, the tough intervals, the doubts, the breakthroughs. The friendships built along the way are what stay with us long after the race medals fade.
As we look ahead to another year of training, racing, learning, and supporting one another, I’m grateful for every connection this club has created. If you’re new to LVTC, don’t be surprised if the person you meet at the next group workout becomes someone you look forward to seeing at every event. And if you’re a long-time member, you already know how powerful those bonds can be.
Here’s to the friendships that start at mile zero, the ones that carry us through training and racing miles, and the finish lines still waiting for us ... with new friends we haven’t even met yet.
See you out there!
#strongertogether #thatsthevegasway #fearless #enjoythejourney #lvtrifamily
~John Mercer
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The New Triathlete
Finish Lines and Friendships
One thing I’ve learned in my advanced years is that the things that make a person attractive -- and determine how much you like them and they, you -- have less to do with what that person is or looks like, and more to do with how they make you feel. This is why your Triathlon friends are so incredibly special and important in your life. Your Triathlon buddies encourage you to persist when you are struggling. They support you in your training and your goals and encourage you to do your best. They know how you feel, how hard you work, and how much you sometimes struggle. And most importantly, they sincerely revel in your victories, no matter how big or how small. We all crave to matter and to be cared about, and Triathlon friendships give you that.
You’re probably aware of the concept of “brothers and sisters in arms.” A strong bond forms between those who have worked together through difficult situations, whether it be wartime, crises, or other struggles. This is because in these situations, your vulnerabilities are laid bare, your true nature reveals itself, and your reliability is tested. I experienced this during a fire on a submarine, 400 feet underwater, when shipmates relied on each other’s actions to get us to the surface safely. The trust we placed in each other cemented our bonds. Interestingly, I also experienced this in a particularly tough, hot, and hilly 70.3. Cramping, in pain, and berating myself for my weakness, I ran into a friend with four miles to go on the run. He was feeling the same way, and neither of us would have finished if it wasn’t for the other one. We encouraged and supported each other, gave each other strength, and crossed the finish line together in an exceptionally memorable and rewarding race for both of us.
Magic happens when you support each other. New Triathletes, take advantage of this. Create, nurture, and protect your Triathlon friendships. The investment will be returned to you tenfold, I promise.
~Bob Gamble
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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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Stronger Together Member Spotlight - Siobhan Snyder
In this new feature in our newsletter, we highlight a member that exemplifies our club theme: Stronger Together. This month, Siobhan Snyder is our Stronger Together Spotlight!
Can you share a memorable moment when you felt the power of the endurance community and/or your friends supporting you or others?
The Vineman Triathlon was my first full-distance triathlon and one of my most memorable races. It required a huge commitment—long rides, long swims after work, and long runs that pushed my endurance and discipline. With the support of the core group I trained with and the low-key tri club events that we incorporated into our training, the journey became not only manageable but genuinely enjoyable. On race day, my family and friends came out to cheer me on, and their support made the experience unforgettable. What started as a challenge became a reality, something that I will always be proud of.
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What advice would you give to someone new to LVTC about getting involved and making the most of the club experience?
The Las Vegas Tri Club’s low-key events are great tools for new members. They offer an easy, welcoming way to meet people with similar goals while preparing for upcoming races. These events provide valuable opportunities to practice transitions, gain confidence in open water, and get comfortable with the overall flow of triathlon. The club is also filled with experienced triathletes who are always willing to share tips and advice.
What does the phrase ‘Stronger Together’ mean to you in the context of triathlon and the LVTC community?
Triathlon is a sport that truly benefits from having great training partners. They are the reason you get out of bed for those early morning workouts—especially on the days when motivation is low. You might not always feel like training, but knowing someone is waiting for you makes it so much easier to show up. And I can honestly say that, even on the mornings I struggled to get up, I have never once regretted a workout once it was done. Having the LVTC as a place in our community to make new friends is a bonus for us living here in Southern Nevada.
What are your next big goals in triathlon?
I don’t have any major goals right now, but I really enjoy participating in the tri club events. They help me stay in shape and keep me ready for whatever challenge might come around the corner. Sometimes staying consistent and prepared is its own kind of goal!!
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Vegas Experts: Luigi Grullon
We have some fantastic local triathlon expertise. In this regular feature, one of our local experts provides some advice for triathletes. Our expert this month is Luigi Grullon – an elite athlete and coach!
In triathlon, we often talk about watts, pace, and splits -anyone who's raced long enough knows there's something far more powerful at work. The people beside us.
The finish line may be the goal, but the friendships built on the journey are what keep us moving when the miles get heavy.
Triathlon is unique because it strips everything down. At 5 am, half-sleep in transition, you're surrounded by people who understand exactly why you're there. They understand the early mornings, the sacrifices, the nerves before a cold swim start. And somewhere between that first stroke in the water and the last steps down the finishing chute, strangers start to feel the teammates.
Sometimes, friendship shows up quietly a quick "You've got this' on the run, a smile during the climb, a handshake at the end. Other times it's the training partners who pushed you through every long ride and long run, the ones who believed in you on the days you didn't.
And then there's the finish line. No matter how tired you are, no matter what the clock says, crossing it reminds you why do this. But truly elevates the moment is seeing someone you care about cross it too. The shared suffering the shared victory, those are memories that last much longer than a medal or race result.
Triathlon teaches discipline, resilience, and the grit. But more than anything, teaches connection. Because even though every athlete races their own race, no one gets to the finish line alone.
Here's to the miles ahead, the finish lines waiting for us, and the friendships that make every race worth it.
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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:
2025 Winners - Congratulations Mattie Williams and Joshua Lira!
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
This scholarship continues thanks to a generous donation by an anonymous donor.
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