Summer was in full swing in Naperville on June 23 as women of all ages and abilities competed in the River's Edge Women's Triathlon in Naperville. The course was very similar to the one used the previous six years by the Danskin Women's Triathlon, which has moved to Pleasant Prairie, WI, and will be contested on July 14.

"We enjoy the relationship we've built with Naperville," said River's Edge event coordinator Kim Kempf. The .75K swim, 20K bike and 5K run triathlon followed nearly the same course as last year's Danskin event. The only change was rerouting the bike course and changing it to a two-loop course. The new route added two miles.

Race winner Jennifer Arbetman, 23, said that although she didn't know about the new two-loop bike course before the race, she enjoyed the change. "It made it a lot easier for people walking to see you twice," she said.

Naperville native Arbetman finished the race with a 1:10:59. Kim Malmquist, 24, came in second with 1:11:49 and Sue Welker, 40, came in third with 1:12:18. Overall, the race had 2,300 participants and 1,800 finishers.

The triathlon raised money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Inc. The not-for-profit organization is devoted to the formulation of early diagnostic treatment programs and research toward the ultimate conquest of ovarian cancer. They also support patients and their loved ones in understanding this disease and its treatment as well as provide outreach programs and raise public awareness.

Welker, who has also run triathlon training programs for six years and spoke at the River's Edge Sports Expo, said that for her the cause was the most important aspect of the race.

"My mother died of ovarian cancer, so I thought that this was a good event to be involved in," Welker said.