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Des Moines Tri: HyVee Out, BMW In...

Wednesday, 01 April 2015 01:10

By Ryan Smith (kcci.com)

DES MOINES, Iowa —Thousands of people flock to Gray’s Lake to watch world-class athletes and local triathletes compete in the famed Hy-Vee Triathlon. But the company announced Tuesday it will no longer hold the event.

Hy-Vee has not said exactly why it cancelled the triathlon, but company officials tell KCCI that it will be replaced by a series of events focused on the health and wellness of children.

This will be a sting to the local economy and charities, as the triathlon pumped more than $4 million annually into the Des Moines area and donated $750,000 since it started in 2007.

The gold moment most athletes can only dream of became reality for Tom Hamilton in 2008.

"This was the award they gave out just to the age group, not just the professionals, so this one means a lot to me,” Hamilton said....

Hamilton has not only participated in every Hy-Vee Triathlon, but he was a crucial part in its creation.

"Like anything that you accomplish, it takes a lot of hard work and effort. There's a tremendous amount of satisfaction when you're finished with it, so that always overcame the pain,” he said.

After an eight-year run, the famed event is no more.

The triathlon attracted world-class athletes and local enthusiasts. It helped fuel a grass-roots niche of intense cross-sport training. READ MORE