On Sunday, March 8, the Kingston and Ulster County YMCA held its 33rd Indoor Triathlon. The event consisted of a 15‑minute swim, a 20‑minute Airdyne bike ride, and a 20‑minute run. The total distance accumulated determined the winners.
I have been a member of the YMCA on and off since 1964, and I have recently been employed at the front desk for a few weekday mornings. Working at the Y has given me greater insight into the indispensable services it provides.
I always enjoyed the atmosphere at the Kingston YMCA, which felt like a healthier version of the television show Cheers, where everyone knows your name. I recognized that its outreach programs had brought more people into the building and that it had become more representative of the community, but I thought of it as a “gym.”
I now see that it goes far beyond being a gym. In reality, it has become a wellness center. It provides services for families and individuals from preschool age through senior citizens. As a matter of fact, senior citizens are the largest group of Y members.
Speaking of seniors, The Wall Street Journal published an article in May 2025 about the Y’s “Kick‑Ass Old Farts” (KAOF) workout group. The group was started in 1980 as a perk for IBM employees. IBM may have left town, and the members may have retired, but the group continues and eagerly welcomes new members.
The KAOF members range in age from 89 to 95. They continue the workout activities from the 1980s and use the same 1950s playlist they started with. Hank Van Parys continues to be the pied piper of this merry band of seniors. The Y offers several wellness classes and activities to help seniors address the health issues they face and provide a healthy social outlet.
The Wednesday morning Coffee Club is a more varied group than the KAOF’s. I greet them every week. It’s a group for retirees and people who have to get in their fitness work before going to work. These “die‑hards” often arrive by 5 a.m.
On the other side of the age spectrum are the year‑round, affordable early childhood and daycare services, swim lessons, summer camps, and other activities the YMCA provides for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary‑school‑age children. These services are vital for working families.
The Y also has a “school‑out” program for holidays and school vacations. It has a teen center and recreation programs for all ages, basketball leagues, volleyball leagues, pickleball, and much more. In the 21st century, the YMCA has evolved into an intergenerational “community hub.”
As a “gym”, the Y offers more than any club. The Y has a pool, three gyms, three weight rooms, a cardiovascular center, a spin‑bike center, a rowing center, a yoga room, and a vast array of fitness classes and activities for adults and youth.
When you consider the bang for your fitness “buck,” the YMCA cannot be matched. For all information on what the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster offers, visit https://ymcaulster.org/.
Bernard, an UCSPCA shelter dog that was recently adopted, in his new home.
Photo provided
YMCA Indoor Tri Results
At this year’s YMCA Indoor Triathlon competition, the top three men overall were Ian McGrew (10.62 miles), Brandon Roman (10.53), and Massimo Cordella (10.45). This was Roman’s third year in a row taking second place. The top women were Kelly Fitzgerald (8.95), Lydia Dillon (8.94), and Stephanie Baird (8.87). Only 0.08 of a mile or 140 yards separated the top three women. It was just 52 feet that separated Fitzgerald and Dillon. All three were in separate heats meaning it was just internal motivation driving them. It was nice to see Fitzgerald’s hard work pay off as she moved up from third in 2024, second in 2025, and the top spot in 2026! The team winners were Team Studt composed of Kari Studt, Helene Maneri, and Barbara Baunfeld (7.42).
I also competed as part of my rehab from my left hip and a right knee replacement. It felt good to be there, and I’m looking forward to more. My age‑group competitors should be wary because, as Satchel Paige once quipped, “Don’t look back, something might be gaining on you”—right, Phil C?
Age‑group winners were: 20s: Taylor Remington (6.84) 30s: John Hay (9.88) and Christina Tinti (8.07) 40s: Julian Spring (8.76) and Clara Diamond (8.20) 50s: Bill Shashaty (9.59) and Nicola McNeil (8.74) 60s: Mike Kristofik (9.37) and Kim Scott (8.64) 70s: Richard Miller (8.59).
There were also awards for individuals achieving the most distance in each discipline: Swim: Art Boyko (47.5 laps), Lydia Dillon (39 laps) Bike: Ian McGrew (7.05 miles), Kelly Fitzgerald (6.13 miles) Run: Massimo Cordella (40 laps), Lydia Dillon (37 laps).
The youngest finisher was Lily Hynes, age 16 (7.60 miles), and the oldest competitor was Richard Miller, age 72 (8.59 miles).
Congratulations to the YMCA’s Indoor Triathlon committee for organizing a fun and challenging event for the community. All proceeds from this event benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Fund.
UCSPCA Winery Run (May 9)— Update
In my last column I featured one of the UCSPCA shelter dogs, a 108 lb blind Akita named Bernard. At the end of February Bernard was adopted. A volunteer from the shelter who was his shelter “soulmate” sent me this update about how he is doing with his new adopted “furever” family.
“Sometimes there’s just an extra‑special animal at a shelter that you really get attached to. Bernard was that dog for me. I remember the first time I saw him. He had something special from day one. The more time I spent with him, the more I fell in love with him. I was happy to drive him anywhere he needed to go. He would climb into the back seat and enjoy his ride.
He was amazing, meeting everyone. Once he had his eyes removed and no longer had the cone on, he acted like a puppy, just wanting love from everyone. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m extremely grateful to his new family for giving him a home. He deserves the best and definitely looks like he’s found a great home.”
For information, registration, or to donate, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Gardiner/BrunswickWineryRunForUCSPCA (runsignup.com in Bing).
World Indoor Athletics Championships
For an Olympic gold medalist, an indoor title isn’t a career necessity, and many veterans would rather prioritize the 2027 outdoor season than peak in March. Even with some big names missing, the field remains deep.
For runners like Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse, competing in Poland isn’t about seeking stardom—Hocker already secured that in Paris. Instead, they are using this meet to stay sharp during a year with no outdoor World Championships. It is a chance to test their tactics in the 3,000m against rivals like Josh Kerr.
They join international mainstays like Mondo Duplantis and Keely Hodgkinson, as well as top U.S. women like Elle St. Pierre and Tara Davis‑Woodhall, who rarely miss a major championship.
This schedule also creates an opening for younger athletes who are usually overshadowed. A prime example is American rising star Cooper Lutkenhaus in the 800m. For a young runner, a World Indoor medal provides the ranking points and prestige needed to get into bigger professional meets. While casual fans might miss a few icons, the racing in Toruń will be exciting because the rising stars are hungry and the podium is wide open.
U.S. viewers can find coverage of the March 20–22 meet on NBC and CNBC. To see every lap live, Peacock will carry full coverage of the morning and evening sessions all weekend.
Upcoming Races
April 18: The 29th YMCA Kids Classic is at Dietz Memorial Stadium in Kingston, NY. The Kids Classic is a track meet for children ages 2–10. It has event distances ranging from 50 meters to a mile, based on age/grade. Register by March 22 to receive a shirt. To register: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Kingston/26thAnnualYMCAKidsClassic (runsignup.com in Bing)
April 26: Kiwanis Kingston Classic, Rondout Waterfront 10K, 5K, and 1.5‑mile Donut Run Register: https://www.zippy-reg.com/online_reg/index.php?e=2422 (zippy-reg.com in Bing)
Race Calendar
• Saturday, March 15: Kingston Shamrock Run (2 pm) Kingston, NY – https://www.shamrockrun.org/
• Saturday, March 21: Washingtonville Scholarship Run – https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Washingtonville/WashingtonvilleScholarshipRun (runsignup.com in Bing)
• Sunday, March 22: Wallkill Shamrock Scramble 5K – https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Wallkill/ShamrockScramble (runsignup.com in Bing)
• Sunday, March 29: Spring on the Trails Endurance Runs (12hr, 6hr, 3hr), Lagrangeville – https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Lagrangeville/SpringontheTrailsEnduranceRun (runsignup.com in Bing)
• Saturday, April 18: YMCA Kids’ Classic – https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Kingston/26thAnnualYMCAKidsClassic (runsignup.com in Bing)
• Sunday, April 26: Kiwanis Kingston Classic – https://www.zippy-reg.com/online_reg/index.php?e=2422 (zippy-reg.com in Bing)
• Saturday, May 9: Bruynswick Winery Run for UCSPCA – https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Gardiner/BrunswickWineryRunForUCSPCA (runsignup.com in Bing)
• Sunday, May 24: The Woodstock Races 15K and 5K (Zena), Kingston – https://www.zippy-reg.com/online_reg/index.php?e=2441 (zippy-reg.com in Bing)
So as you can see the race calendar is really heating up and I hope to see many of you out on our roads and trails in the upcoming months.
Steve Schallenkamp has been active in area running circles since 1966 as a runner, race director, volunteer and coach. He is a member of the Onteora Runners Club and president of the Shawangunk Runners Club.
