Participants swim, bike, run and remember those on cancer journeys

KINGMAN, Ariz. – Stevy Merrill was the champion of the first-ever SheStrong Inc Monarch Triathlon SuperHalf™, a women’s multisport event that debuted a brand new triathlon distance this past weekend. She set the course and distance standard with a time of 4:32:22. The Kingman local and healthcare worker conquered the 52-mile course that traveled from Bullhead City to Kingman. She was followed by Missy Verhaeghe in second place with a time of 4:44:37 and Tracy Cushing in third place with a time of 5:01:36.

“Stevy surpassed all expectations on the course today and came in with a lightning-fast time. This course record may have been automatic since our event is brand new, but my guess is that her time may stand for years to come,” said Brandy Ramirez, the founder of SheStrong Inc. and race director for the Monarch Triathlon SuperHalf™. “We celebrate Stevy’s victory, while also being inspired by and proud of all of our athletes today no matter their result. They fought hard, just like those on a cancer journey, and showed us the meaning of triumph.”

The Monarch Triathlon is the first-ever USA Triathlon Sanctioned Event in the area. 35 athletes took to the challenging and scenic course, swimming 0.5 miles downstream in the Colorado River, riding 44 miles on Historic Highway 68 through Union Pass, and running seven miles along the iconic Route 66. Created by SheStrong Inc., an online community for women battling cancer to connect and find support as they returned to athletic training, the event was designed as a fundraiser to provide college scholarships to girls who have lost their primary caregiver to cancer.

A representative for Mayor Ken Watkins attended the awards ceremony, where they presented Ramirez with a Letter of Recognition for her efforts. They also presented a Proclamation, naming it SheStrong Day in the City of Kingman.

Ramirez created both SheStrong Inc. and the Monarch Triathlon after her personal journey with breast cancer. SheStrong offers a safe and supportive environment where woman can openly discuss their diagnoses and treatment, their fitness goals and training, physical obstacles, and emotional trials. Nearly 4,000 women engage in their forum.

The Monarch Triathlon is set to return on Oct. 7, 2023, and will be a part of the USA Triathlon Women’s Series. To be the first to know when registration for next year’s race opens, and for more information on SheStrong Inc. and the Monarch Triathlon SuperHalf™, visit www.shestronginc.com.

ABOUT SHESTRONG INC.

SheStrong endeavors to create a supportive, fitness-minded community to inspire and motivate women impacted by a cancer diagnosis. We strive to empower women and give them a positive environment where they can be motivated and motivate others. Their vision is to build a community of strong, empowered women who lift up themselves, their sisters, and families facing similar diagnoses. It is SheStrong's intent to resource funds gathered through memberships, merchandise, events, donations, and other services to benefit those facing financial hardship due to a diagnosis, and enable cancer patients to regain their fitness through motivation, coaching, training, and racing. For more information on She Strong Inc., visit www.shestronginc.com.

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