team to team, he even called the previous team captain to consult on race issues, leaving no stone unturned to get it all just right. The day of the race dawned with ominous cloud cover threatening the team. I watched Jacob run from post to post heartening his staff and keeping spirits at a high level, as I photographed details of the event. As contestants warmed up for the start of the races, the sun began to break through the clouds, exhibiting not only good timing, but also a silver lining. There were 5k singles and couples, 10k singles and couples, kids 10 and under and dogs all running around the Laguna Lake Park that was now a backdrop of greens
and golds touched by the early sun. The runners wore a kaleidoscope of multi-colored costumes in keeping with the Valentine’s Day themed costume contest. Jacob and his staff manned the water stations set up around the course and they waited by the finish line to record the racers times as each ended their runs under the arch of pink balloons and shared the refreshments and games that awaited them. Jacob had found himself included as an important part of a legacy that actually dates back to the original six members who started the Cal Poly Triathlon Team in 1988. Their team has now become the largest club sport on the campus, growing to 172 members
and become the seventh ranked collegiate triathlon team nationally. They are expected to be in the top five in the nation this year. To quote their website, “Everything the team has built over the last 28 years has been to allow students of Cal Poly to experience triathlons in a friendly, affordable team environment. The team’s dynamic is centered around inclusion, allowing everyone from first time triathletes to nationally ranked individuals to enjoy being a part of our team.” Jacob was excited to report back to me that Heart & Soles will be donating $950.00 to the United Way of SLO Youth Board as their way of giving back to the community.
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