The Homegrown Triathlon came to be because of sisters who wanted a more friendly,
open-to-all, family oriented way to keep motivated about exercising. It was
made possible, and has continued, because of the amazingly supportive and
indulgent family members of us pseudo-athletes. They have been willing year
after year to count our laps in the pool, time us, lug our equipment around
the course and most importantly cheer us on with my favorite white lie: "You
look great-you're almost done!!!". One of the most cheerful and dedicated
volunteers on the course every year since this event began was my mom, Marilyn
Lathom. Even when she was in the middle of her fourth or fifth round of chemotherapy
in the spring of 1999, she was working the registration table at 8 am on race
morning and didn't leave until the last participant finished. Knowing the
extent of my mom's determination, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised
to see her there, but I was.
Sadly, she will not be out there cheering us on in person anymore because
the cancer she fought so bravely ended her life in July of 1999. When Hana
suggested adding Mom's name to the triathlon it seemed like a fitting gesture.
She never quite understood our desire to do these events that looked a bit
like self-torture to her, but that never stopped her from cheering us all
on. That kind of unconditional support is what allows us to believe we can
do whatever we set our minds to, and that's what this event is all about.
Many of us on the course will be thinking of her and missing her.
~Diane Lathom
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