As athletes crossed the finish line at the Muncie May Triathlon, each was greeted with congratulations from volunteer staff for simply being able to finish the long course.
Ironman athlete Susan Katz, 33, began receiving applause and support before she started the second leg of the event. Katz's ability to participate seemed to be an inspiration to the athletes and spectators around her.
Saturday's third annual Muncie May Triathlon was organized by Muncie Multi-Sport and featured Olympic distance and sprint distance triathlon events. More than 350 athletes participated in this year's competition. But the triathlon showcased more than just everyday athletes looking to complete the difficult course.
Traveling from Chicago to participate in the event, Katz drew the attention of all her fellow competitors not just because of her fast race times, but because of the obstacles she had overcome to complete the Olympic triathlon course at Prairie Creek Reservoir in Selma, Ind.
She was born with spina bifida, a birth defect caused by incomplete development of the spinal cord. It's something that has made her use a wheelchair but she doesn't let it prevent her from doing anything.
Katz is a paralympian who participated for the United States in track in field in the 1996 Paralympic Games and the women's wheelchair basketball team in Athens during Summer 2004. She traveled to the Muncie May Triathlon to train for her second bid for the Ironman competition in Kona, Hawaii.
She takes a modest mentality when she sees competitors and spectators in awe as they watch her complete the 1.5 kilometer swim, 41.2 kilometer bike and 10 kilometer run course with the aid of specially designed equipment.
"I appreciated it very much," Katz said. "One of the things I love about triathlon is being out on the race course, but people inspire each other regardless. There are still people that are out there that are [walking] that full 10k and that's inspiring to me."
Muncie Multi-Sport CEO Steven Tomboni said it's inspiring to everyone involved when participants like Katz show up to triathlons and compete.
Triathlon coach T.J. Tryon said it helps put things into perspective.
"I've got a busted knee right now and I'm walking around with a cane," Tryon said. "I've been complaining about it until I see that she doesn't even have the use of her legs right now."
Tryon said he sees individuals overcoming disabilities to compete often, and at smaller events it's rare but powerful.
"When you do [see] it's got so much more of an impact on the people," Tryon said. "Everybody here it's like, 'Wow, can you believe that.'"
Katz said any triathlon is always difficult and believes her disability doesn't inhibit her more than any other factor would.
"My adversity isn't any different than anybody else that's out there," Katz said. "They all have their own adversity and I think it's just a matter of realizing there's always a way of tackling it."
Muncie Multi-Sport organizes other events throughout the summer months, with the next triathlon event taking place on May 26 in Indianapolis.
Tomboni said the events do more to help the community than just what happens on the course. The events promote health and safety and bring in spectators and competitors from all over the country.
"If you think about Muncie as this donut hole called summertime where the economy is totally different than when Ball State is in session," Tomboni said. "[Having] events like this go on once a month now where it use to be just once a year is a huge deal."
Katz just sees how much triathlon brings all of the participants together despite the amount of attention her condition receives.
"This is just my life," Katz said. "To me, it's no different."
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