Heidi Mayne rises up out of the Whidbey waters as she and others complete a circumnavigation of the island, raising $27,000 for Coupeville teachers and students. (Photos by Morgan White and James Steller)
Getting ready for a run with a view.
The bike gang, hard at work.
Always fuel up before competing.
Attacking the hills and enjoying the new coating recently put down by county crews on the Kettles Trail.
Year three was a rousing success.
A group of Whidbey Island athletes successfully pulled off “Circumnavigate Whidbey 2019” this weekend, raising $27,000 for Coupeville students.
The event, started by James Steller, benefits the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools, which provides support, grants, and scholarships.
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, athletes ran, biked, and swam their way around Whidbey, traveling the complete length of one of the longest islands in the USA.
Andrew Wyman and Neil Rixe took home unofficial honors as iron men, with the former doing all sports and all distances, while the latter hit the bike like he was in the middle of the Tour de France.
“He biked a zillion miles and never lost speed. Superhuman!,” said an impressed Steller, who threw down the equivalent of two half Ironman Triathlons himself this weekend.
Pat O’Hara joined the core group for day one’s activities, while Greg White was in the thick of things on day two.
Also completing full legs (or more) were Grant Steller, Cole White, Jameson O’Hara, Korianne Emerson, Heidi Mayne, and Alysha Emerson Best.
Giving things a true family feel, kids of all ages jumped in to run bits and pieces of the event, making for “a lot of feels.”
Pulling off a multi-day event required the help of a large, enthusiastic support crew.
Among those who gave up their holiday weekend to make the magic happen were chief planner Karen Price, support drivers Chic Merwine and Terry Welch, photographer to the stars Morgan White, and the indispensable duo of Amber Wyman and Holley Steller.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery, where James Steller works, made a substantial donation to the event, while money also came from a wide variety of others.
“It is not possible without our amazing community,” Steller said.
“I also want to thank the teachers and administrators of Coupeville Schools, who make a difference in our children’s lives every day!,” he added. “You are loved and appreciated and this is the least we can do for you!!!! Till next year!”
For more info on what the Community Foundation does, pop over to:
https://www.4coupevilleschools.org/
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