A big shout out and congratulations to all five of our lane mates swimming in last Sunday’s inaugural Kanuga sprint Tri series event by iDaph!
The sprint course consisted of 600 meter swim in open water, a 13.5 mile mixed terrain for the bike, and a 5K/3.1 mile trail run. See Trevor’s description below.
Below are snippets from (mostly) the athletes’s own voice regarding their race morning highlights and challenges
Savannah Caudle reports this was her “FIRST open water swim (!!) and the longest and most elevation on a bike ride ever!” That is a Huge accomplishment-well done🐠🌞
Amy Cocanour! Highlight: “starting the race jumping off the dock with Savannah and seeing and commiserating with Willie about why we do this to ourselves. She (Willie) is amazing.”
Amy’s Challenge: This was my first triathlon since June 2025 because of back surgery in November 2025. Being able to race without nerve pain down my hips and legs (because of the back) and my knee NOT being a 10/10 on a pain scale (need a new one and I’m ignoring it for now) was fabulous. This was a first time event for Daphne and it sold out with a waiting list. Definitely a wonderful addition to area races.
AMY says the swim was the best part of her race! Hooray for that.
Willie placed 2nd in the 70-99 age group (!!) and used gratitudes and songs in her head, and the sheer grit of a seasoned racer to enjoy the swim! She says “The swim was great!!! I was even thankful for all the duck poop!“
What an inspiration 🐬🧘🏼♀️
Trevor Downing! – Kanuga triathlon was good today. First time this race has been held since Helene destroyed both the Asheville and Hendersonville triathlons when the pools flooded. Lake Lure triathlon also still not open (thinking 2027). Great to have a sprint triathlon with an open water swim in lake Kanuga. Water temp was 82 so great swim conditions. Bike was a little rough because 2 miles of the course were gravel so couldn’t really use thin tire road bikes or triathlon bikes. Most went with gravel bikes like myself. Run was fine but course was poorly marked so I ran a mile off course before realizing (5 others ran off course with me). That’s a challenge to overcome running extra but overall great outing for this brand new triathlon
Brian Combs- came 5th overall out of the sold out 300. He says, “I grew up going to summer camp next door to Kanuga. Still coughing up junk from the bronchitis but beautiful day and course. Bike was mixed surfaces-mostly pavement with 2 gravel sections and the Run was almost entirely trail.” Solid effort as you recover, Brian!!
Congratulations everyone!
Asheville Masters Swimming 