Got the Nerve? Triathlon moves to Ephrata, shining a spotlight on adaptive athletes and community champions

After two decades in Mount Gretna, the Got the Nerve? Triathlon is turning the page on a new chapter, relocating to Thomas P. Grater Memorial Park in Ephrata for its 2025 race. The event, presented by the IM ABLE Foundation, will take place on Sunday, June 22, beginning at 7:30 a.m., and promises a renewed focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and community connection.

This year’s triathlon continues its legacy of multiple race formats designed for a wide range of athletes. Participants can choose a traditional triathlon (swim, bike, run), a duathlon (run, bike, run), an aquabike (swim, bike), or the youth-oriented Splash & Dash (swim, run). Both sprint and super-sprint distances are available to accommodate first-timers and seasoned competitors alike. Two adaptive divisions—the Paratriathlete Division, which follows Paralympic guidelines, and the Adaptive Division, which welcomes athletes using alternative equipment—underscore the event’s commitment to inclusion.

- Advertisement -

Proceeds benefit the IM ABLE Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through fitness by providing adaptive-equipment grants, inclusive programs, and a supportive community network.

Stories to Watch on Race Day

Among the starters this year is York resident Andrew Langston, an Ironman athlete who recently donated a kidney to a 20-year-old stranger. His experience led him to create The Iron Kidney Project, which advocates for living kidney donation. Langston will race alongside Reading’s Ali DiPiazza, who was born with spina bifida. DiPiazza’s determination on and off the course has become a rallying point for the region’s adaptive-sports community, and the pair’s partnership embodies the triathlon’s theme of possibility over limitation.

Traveling from Baltimore, several young athletes with the Bennett Blazers program will test their skills in their first-ever triathlon. The nationally recognized team trains more than 100 children with physical disabilities each week, and Sunday’s event represents a milestone—both for the individual competitors and for the coaches who have guided their progress from introductory swim drills to a full multisport challenge.

- Advertisement -

Ephrata will also welcome members of the Sensation Six from Stern Athletics in the Bronx. The group of driven teenage girls is led by visually impaired competitor Kelly Diaz, the current Adaptive-Athlete Female National Champion. Diaz will compete side by side with her longtime mentor, Coach Nimmers, marking the first time the pair has shared a race course. Their appearance highlights the powerful bonds formed when athletes and coaches work together toward inclusive goals.

How to Get Involved<\h2>

Athlete and volunteer registration remains open at runsignup.com/gtn, and spectators are encouraged to line the course and cheer on participants. For event details, email Becky Rennix at becky@imablefoundation.org. To learn more about the IM ABLE Foundation or to make a contribution, visit imablefoundation.org.

- Advertisement -

Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly
Berks Weekly is an independent and locally owned digital news outlet covering the City of Reading and Berks County. Download the mobile app: berksweekly.com/app
Reading
broken clouds
74.8 ° F
77.4 °
71.9 °
85 %
2.8mph
59 %
Sat
89 °
Sun
85 °
Mon
86 °
Tue
88 °
Wed
81 °

Latest News

Sponsored

53,431FansLike
282,100FollowersFollow
3,550SubscribersSubscribe