The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Racing toward a cure: Local man competes in triathlon
Ray to participate at weekend relay event in St. Petersburg, Fla.
By Daniel Lai, Editor
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008
Manchester resident Christopher Ray is taking the love for his daughter to the streets as a participant in the St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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Ray, whose 4-year-old daughter Hayley was diagnosed with childhood leukemia last year, will compete in the triathlon to raise money for the National Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
"We need to find a cure for cancer," he said. "No child or adult should ever have to experience this disease in their lifetime."
Now in its 25th year, the St. Anthony's Triathlon features hundreds of athletes from all over the country raising money for cancer research.
"This will be my first full Olympic-distance triathlon," Ray said. "I am pretty excited that I have the opportunity to do this for my daughter."
Participants in the triathlon will compete in a 6.2 mile run, .9 mile swim and 24.8 mile bike race.
In preparation for the event, Ray has been training with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. It provides coaches to help teams of would-be fundraisers who don't have the athletic background or training savvy to enter endurance events such as triathlons or marathons.
The coach assigned to Ray's team has provided training schedules and answered questions, he said.
"The coaches are helpful with support," he said. "I couldn't have done this on my own."
Ray said he has maintained a rigorous workout everyday since November.
"Everyday we are doing something different," he said. "There's a lot that goes into preparing for such a physically demanding event."
Ray said the multi-sport aspect of the triathlon presents a challenge that appeals to him. He is not alone. More and more casual athletes are daring to take on endurance sports. In fact, USA Triathlon, the governing body of the sport, reports 20 percent growth in participation per year over the past eight years and attributes that growth to Team In Training coaches making the sport accessible to every day people.
"Being a part of Team In Training is a way to gain some control over something you have no control over," Ray said. "Recently I have discovered that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds six researchers at the University of Michigan, where Hayley is being treated. These researchers fight every day to find a cure for so many wonderful children, including my Hayley and for adults as well."
Ray said both his wife Katie and daughter have provided moral support during his training.
"Seeing my daughter do extremely well has given me a positive outlook," he said. "I want doctors to find not only a cure for leukemia, but all cancer."
Support from the community has also grown since Hayley's diagnosis.
"The people of Manchester have been so supportive of our family," Ray said. "They have reached out to us more than we could have ever expected through cards, prayers and fundraisers. It has been overwhelming."
With his daughter's cancer now in remission, Ray said he has turned his attention to educating others.
"You totally don't know what to expect until you experience it for yourself," he said. "One day you are playing in the backyard and the next day you are diagnosed with cancer. Life can change so fast, you just never know what can happen."
The St. Anthony's Triathlon will take place beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday.
Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.
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