By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

For 3 hours, 20 minutes, 58 seconds, Sara Paveglio put herself to a rigorous fitness test Saturday.

She put a lot of effort into every paddle stroke, but found herself seemingly moving at a snail’s pace across Moose Pond over the two-mile course. She finally returned to shore in 38 minutes, 24 seconds.

“I am not very good at it (kayaking). No matter how hard I paddle, I am always near the end,” the 38-year-old from Simsbury, Conn. said.

She did enjoy a bike ride over a variety of terrain, from the smooth glide down Mountain Road to kicking up mud along the logging trail.

“What I will remember most is all of the mud and hauling through it on my bike and loving every minute of it,” she said.

After covering the 16-mile bike portion of the Great Adventure Challenge triathlon in 1 hour, 53 minutes, 14 seconds, Paveglio joined other weary competitors in an aching climb to the summit of Pleasant Mountain.

Like many of her fellow triathletes, Paveglio hardly worried what her final time would be as she crossed the finish line at the mountain’s base.

“My goal going into the race was to have fun and finish. I did achieve both of those goals,” said Paveglio, who placed 69th overall. “Once you do this race, you are hooked. It is one of those hidden gems that a lot of people don’t know about, but I think in time, it will change. This race has a feeling to it that is unlike other races that I have done where it is heartfelt.”

For Sara Paveglio and others, the Great Adventure Challenge is a test of one’s fortitude — both physically and mentally — yet also a chance to bond with friends and family, and also meet others who share a similar desire to succeed.

Sara became hooked on the GAC after being convinced by her husband’s cousin, Ryan Paveglio, to compete.

“Ryan got us hooked. My husband’s brother, Mark, has also done the race a couple of times too. We are trying to make it a Paveglio tradition. We will be back next year, for sure!”

Adam Gagne, 31, of Windham is a GAC veteran. Competing the fourth time as an individual, Gagne’s goal was to “have fun and push myself.”

Because of a hectic spring and summer, Gagne was unable to train as regularly as he had done in the past.

“I found myself fresh off the couch,” he said. “I find the competition for this race so strong that I look forward to competing against my times in previous years more than trying to place in any event.”

The toughest part of the triathlon, in Gagne’s mind, is the transition from the bike portion to the rugged mountain climb.

“It’s tough to keep up the motivation to push into the hill climb. Your legs are burning, the food is getting set up, the band is playing and people are having a great time; it’s hard to leave that atmosphere to torture yourself for another 40 minutes to an hour in the hill climb,” he said.

While the GAC has its painful moments, there is fun to be found, as well.

“The first (good moment) is when you hit the first big mud puddle on the mountain bike and your legs get drenched and the tires spray mud on you. That always puts a smile on my face,” he said. “The second would be rounding the house at the top of the mountain. It’s like the burn in your legs disappears instantly and you get a revived spirit (as you head down the mountain).”

Gagne would love to see the GAC continue to grow. He also appreciates the efforts put forth by Knowles and his crew of volunteers.

Kevin Rocque, 42, made his first visit to the Challenge as a member of Team Victory Sun. He was joined by Doug Card, 50 and Ben Card, 25. The group, who were sporting white headbands, are from the South Portland and Peaks Island area.

“None of us have ever competed in a tri before. Our goal was to finish with no major injuries, and we achieved it,” Rocque said. “The toughest part of the event was the ‘run.’ It’s fun skiing down the Main Trail, but not so much ‘running’ up and down it.”

Rocque said his trio will “remember how much fun we had.” Once the event was over, they shared stories about their respective events, from kayaks bumping into each other, to the boulder in the stream that sent Doug flying over his bicycle’s handlebars, and Ben being told to slow down on the run.

“We really look forward to next year!” he said.

That’s music to Race Director Rob Knowles’ ears.

As numbers continue to grow, Knowles appreciates the interest shown by competitors to take part in the fundraiser for Good Neighbors.

He also is quick to praise a dedicated volunteer group, which is truly the engine that makes the Great Adventure Challenge run so smoothly.

“A person once said to me the first year The Great Adventure Challenge was hatched, ‘Your job is to know what the event should look like and to then surround yourself with skilled people and get them to see your vision,’ or something to that effect. I did this,” Knowles said. “If one thing stands out year after year, it is the competitors’ appreciation and praise for the 70 to 80 volunteers that it takes to make this event happen. Were it not for their attitude, commitment, dedication and unbridled enthusiasm, this event would pale in comparison to what it has become. There are not words, nor is there compensation for the efforts put out by these people.  Year after year, they come back to help and rise to the occasion.”

Each year, the event experiences a few minor glitches, but Knowles has only heard words of praise from triathletes.

“It’s known behind the scenes that everything does not go smoothly, however, never has an athlete/competitor mentioned even knowing something is wrong. Volunteer praise is everywhere,” he said. “These folks move forward in such positive force to make the race experience as perfect as they can for those who have entered. For me, as Race Director, I have eight team captains who see my vision and have been able to have those volunteers working for them see it also. As a result, no one sees problems without solutions and the event goes on. So again, I can only say thank you so much. Without you, there is nothing. See you on the mountain next year.”

Competitor Sara Paveglio echoed Knowles’ comments.

“I love this race. Rob does a wonderful job setting it all up and it is for such a good cause. The volunteers are fantastic. I love seeing all of the ages of the volunteers from kids to older folks. It seems to me that Rob really puts his heart and soul into making this event what it is. It is loved by all who do it,” she said. “I feel like I know Rob, yet I have never even shaken the guy’s hand.”

 

OVERALL

1. TRT, 2:11:02

2. Kevin Callahan, 2:14:31

3. Still the Gimps, 2:16:05

4. Life is Good, 2:18:09

5. Norman Greenburg, 2:18:58

6. Andrew Yip, 2:21:45

7. Nate Priest, 2:24:36

8. Brian Edwards, 2:24:58

9. Michael Pelletier, 2:28:22

10. Greg Kolvoord, 2:28:49

11. David Moore, 2:29:49

12. Chris Peter, 2:31:06

13. Scott Ferris, 2:32:00

14. Superflies, 2:32:35

15. Crew 222, 2:32:42

16. Chris Roy (Naples), 2:33:14

17. Fresh Flash, 2:34:02

18. Jennifer Kolvoord, 2:34:31

19. Leslie Beckwith, 2:36:13

20. Bob Beaudoin, 2:37:46

21. The Grublets, 2:37:55

22. Team Forty Two, 2:38:08

23. Greg Martin, 2:39:20

24. Victory Sunn, 2:40:25

25. Scott Smith, 2:40:53

26. Chris Roy (Bridgton), 2:41:58

27. Scott James, 2:43:39

28. Michael McLeod, 2:43:56

29. William P. Brown, 2:44:12

30. Ben Bruns, 2:44:43

31. Craig Marden, 2:47:02

32. Jeff Stack, 2:49:11

33. William Brown, 2:49:47

34. Robert McMahon, 2:50:57

35. Mike Cicio, 2:51:02

36. Sarah Brown, 2:51:06

37. Mike Adams, 2:51:20

38. Jennifer Genovese, 2:52:10

39. Barry Towle, 2:52:31

40. Patrick Sansonetti, 2:53:57

41. TJ O’Connell, 2:54.28

42. Angela McLeod, 2:54:31

43. Christine Hamm, 2:55:39

44. Ralph Colaarusso, 2:56:26

45. The Loonie Chicks, 3:00:14

46. Bruce Elliott, 3:00:18

47. Nature Trekkers, 3:00:18

48. Jarrod Widor, 3:00:34

49. More Nuts, 3:00:56

50. Leah Chamberlain, 3:01:40

51. Jennifer Sinsabaugh, 3:01:42

52. Jeremy Hammond, 3:02:41

53. Ryan Paveglio, 3:04:11

54. Max Cavalli, 3:06:53

55. Michael Murrin, 3:09:33

56. Lawrence Bailey, 3:09:55

57. Team International, 3:10:13

58. Justin Ward, 3:10:29

59. Don Fowler, 3:10:39

60. Chris Cloutier, 3:10:55

61. Glen Roy, 3:11:40

62. Nuts, 3:12:59

63. Mary Swiniarski, 3:13:42

64. Glenny & The Jets, 3:14:51

65. Scott Olivieri, 3:17:56

66. Kerry Yip, 3:18:03

67. Cool Cats, 3:20:33

68. Kevin Logan, 3:20:55

69. Sara Paveglio, 3:20:58

70. Christine Stack, 3:21:27

71. Carlos Quinones, 3:21:54

72. William Gould, 3:22:28

73. No Guts, Just Nuts, 3:22:58

74. Galway Gladiators, 3:24:54

75. No Nuts, Just Guts, 3:26:17

76. Elizabeth Kenney, 3:26:28

77. Bruce Kenney, 3:26:28

78. Kelly Edwards, 3:28:01

79. Adam Gagne, 3:31:01

80. Team Random, 3:31:07

81. Peter Paveglio, 3:31:21

82. Roberta LaBrecque, 3:36:49

83. Shannon Sansonetti, 3:38:20

84. Brenda Vail, 3:39:13

85. Kristy Rizzitello, 3:40:39

86. Jennifer Blais, 3:40:43

87. Andrew Norkin, 3:41:46

88. Robert Gargano, 3:43:23

89. Laurie Palow, 3:44:52

90. Rosemarie Danner, 3:45:56

91. Lisa Chase, 3:50:00

KAYAK

1. TRT, 27:14

2. Norman Greenburg, 27:44

3. Nate Priest, 27:50

4. Mike Adams, 28:24

5. Max Cavalli, 28:36

6. Bob Beaudoin, 29:04

7. Nature Trekkers, 29:09

8. David Moore, 29:13

9. Scott Smith, 29:15

10. Jeff Stack, 29:20

11. Kevin Callahan, 29:28

12. Leslie Beckwith, 29:40

13. Scott James, 29:58

14. Ryan Paveglio, 30:15

15. Lawrence Bailey, 30:20

16. Greg Kolvoord, 30:26

17. Still the Gimps, 30:30

18. Andrew Yip, 30:36

19. Crew 222, 30:42

20. TJ O’Connell, 30:47

21. Craig Marden, 30:53

22. Jeremy Hammond, 31:01

23. Jennifer Genovese, 31:01

24. Scott Olivieri, 31:03

25. Angela McLeod, 31:13

26. Michael McLeod, 31:17

27. Ben Bruns, 31:19

28. Bruce Kenney, 31:40

29. Greg Martin, 31:44

30. Christine Hamm, 31:45

31. The Grublets, 31:46

32. Mike Cicio, 32:02

33. Scott Ferris, 32:07

34. William P. Brown, 32:08

35. Jarrod Widor, 32:10

36. Ralph Colarusso, 32:15

37. Victory Sun, 32:16

38. Jennifer Kolvoord, 32:18

39. Barry Towle, 32:23

40. Fresh Flash, 32:24

41. Christine Stack, 32:26

42. Bruce Elliott, 32:26

43. Michael Pelletier, 32:34

44. Kevin Logan, 32:56

45. Patrick Sansonetti, 32:57

46. Justin Ward, 33:05

47. Glen Roy, 33:08

48. Leah Chamberlain, 33:10

49. Superflies, 33:24

50. Chris Peter, 33:26

51. Cool Cats, 33:33

52. Life is Good, 33:39

53. More Nuts, 33:59

54. The Loonitic Chicks, 34:00

55. Don Fowler, 34:00

56. Chris Roy (B), 34:06

57. Adam Gagne, 34:11

58. Robert Gargano, 34:27

59. Chris Roy (N), 34:30

60. Roberta LaBreque, 34:35

61. Jennifer Sinsabaugh, 34:35

62. Rosemarie Danner, 34:50

63. Brian Edwards, 34:51

64. Elizabeth Kenney, 34:54

65. Chris Cloutier, 35:02

66. Peter Paveglio, 35:30

67. Glenny & The Jets, 35:41

68. Carlos Quinones, 35:43

69. Team Forty Two, 36:04

70. Sarah Brown, 36:06

71. Robert McMahon, 36:26

72. William Brown, 36:56

73. Michael Murrin, 37:06

74. Shannon Sansonetti, 37:09

75. William Gould, 37:14

76. Jennifer Blais, 37:18

77. No Guts, Just Nuts, 37:27

78. Mary Swiniarski, 37:28

79. Kristy Rizzitello, 37:32

80. Kelly Edwards, 37:59

81. Laurie Palow, 38:04

82. Sarah Paveglio, 38:24

83. No Nuts, Just Guts, 38:28

84. Andrew Norkin, 38:33

85. Nuts, 39:13

86. Galway Gladiators, 39:22

87. Lisa Chase, 39:23

88. Brenda Vail, 39:27

89. Kerry Yip, 39:36

90. Team Random, 41:29

91. David Sanborn, 43:40

92. Team International, 47:55

BIKE

1. TRT, 1:09:32

2. Kevin Callahan, 1:11:32

3. Brian Edwards, 1:12:44

4. Andrew Yip, 1:16:16

5. Life is Good, 1:17:19

6. Still the Gimps, 1:18:13

7. Michael Pelletier, 1:18:37

8. Norman Greenburg, 1:20:44

9. David Moore, 1:20:46

10. Scott Ferris, 1:21:36

11. Chris Peter, 1:21:45

12. Chris Roy (B), 1:23:17

13. Chris Roy (N), 1:23:35

14. Crew 222, 1:24:40

15. Greg Kolvoord, 1:24:48

16. Nate Priest, 1:24:56

17. Scott James, 1:28:09

18. Victory Sun, 1:28:13

19. Jennifer Kolvoord, 1:28:34

20. Robert McMahon, 1:28:38

21. Fresh Flash, 1:28:53

22. Superflies, 1:29:01

23. Scott Smith, 1:29:21

24. Michael McLeod, 1:29:27

25. William P. Brown, 1:29:33

26. Greg Martin, 1:29:42

27. Ben Bruns, 1:29:45

28. Bob Beaudoin, 1:29:54

29. Barry Towle, 1:30:04

30. Craig Marden, 1:32:13

31. Jeff Stack, 1:33:37

32. Team Forty Two, 1:34:00

33. Sarah Brown, 1:35:21

34. Mike Cicio, 1:35:30

35. Ralph Colarusso, 1:36:14

36. No Guts, Just Nuts, 1:36:41

37. Bruce Elliott, 1:36:43

38. TJ O’Connell, 1:36:53

39. Jennifer Genovese, 1:37:06

40. Leslie Beckwith, 1:37:24

41. Team International, 1:37:25

42. Nuts, 1:37:37

43. Jarrod Widor, 1:38:09

44. William Brown, 1:38:33

45. Christine Hamm, 1:39:53

46. Jeremy Hammond, 1:39:59

47. The Grublets, 1:40:02

48. Patrick Sansonetti, 1:40:23

49. More Nuts, 1:40:27

50. Don Fowler, 1:40:54

51. William Gould, 1:40:55

52. Leah Chamberlain, 1:41:16

53. Lawrence Bailey, 1:41:34

54. Carlos Quinones, 1:41:37

55. Justin Ward, 1:42:18

56. Mike Adams, 1:42:35

57. Max Cavalli, 1:42:57

58. Angela McLeod, 1:43:17

59. Mary Swiniarski, 1:44:12

60. The Loonitic Chicks, 1:44:14

61. No Nuts, Just Guts, 1:45:07

62. Nature Trekkers, 1:45:29

63. Jennifer Sinsabaugh, 1:45:35

64. Ryan Paveglio, 1:46:10

65. Chris Cloutier, 1:46:16

66. Scott Olivieri, 1:46:37

67. Michael Murrin, 1:48:30

68. Kevin Logan, 1:52:00

69. Glen Roy, 1:53:08

70. Sarah Paveglio, 1:53:14

71. Kerry Yip, 1:53:23

72. Peter Paveglio, 1:54:18

73. Glenny & The Jets, 1:55:15

74. Adam Gagne, 1:57:28

75. Robert Gargano, 1:57:31

76. Bruce Kenney, 1:58:26

77. Elizabeth Kenney, 1:59:08

78. Galway Gladiators, 2:00:34

79. Christine Stack, 2:01:17

80. Andrew Norkin, 2:01:20

81. Roberta LaBreque, 2:03:28

82. Cool Cats, 2:04:40

83. Brenda Vail, 2:04:59

84. Kelly Edwards, 2:05:45

85. Shannon Sansonetti, 2:07:28

86. Team Random, 2:08:20

87. Rosemarie Danner, 2:11:19

88. Laurie Palow, 2:12:59

89. Jennifer Blais, 2:14:16

90. Kristy Rizzitello, 2:14:46

91. Lisa Chase, 2:34:43

RUN/HIKE

1. The Grublets, 26:07

2. Life is Good, 27:11

3. Still the Gimps, 27:22

4. Team Forty Two, 28:04

5. Leslie Beckwith, 29:09

6. Superflies, 30:10

7. Norman Greenburg, 30:30

8. Nate Priest, 31:50

9. Fresh Flash, 32:45

10. Kevin Callahan, 33:31

11. Greg Kolvoord, 33:35

12. Jennifer Kolvoord, 33:39

13. TRT, 34:16

14. William Brown, 34:18

15. Andrew Yip, 34:53

16. Chris Roy (N), 35:09

17. Lisa Chase, 35:54

18. Chris Peter, 35:55

19. Michael Pelletier, 37:11

20. Crew 222, 37:20

21. Brian Edwards, 37:23

22. Greg Martin, 37:54

23. Scott Ferris, 38:17

24. Bob Beaudoin, 38:48

25. Sarah Brown, 39:39

26. David Moore, 39:50

27. Victory Sun, 39:56

28. Angela McLeod, 40:01

29. Mike Adams, 40:21

30. Patrick Sansonetti, 40:37

31. Team Random, 41:18

32. Jennifer Sinsabaugh, 41:32

33. The Loonitic Chicks, 42:00

34. Scott Smith, 42:17

35. Cool Cats, 42:20

36. William P. Brown, 42:31

37. Michael McLeod, 43:12

38. Mike Cicio, 43:30

39. Ben Bruns, 43:39

40. Glenny & The Jets, 43:55

41. Craig Marden, 43:56

42. Michael Murrin, 43:57

43. Christine Hamm, 44:01

44. Jennifer Genovese, 44:03

45. Kelly Edwards, 44:17

46. Chris Roy (B), 44:35

47. Team International, 44:53

48. Galway Gladiators, 44:58

49. Kerry Yip, 45:04

50. Glen Roy, 45:24

51. Scott James, 45:32

52. Nature Trekkers, 45:40

53. Robert McMahon, 45:53

54. Jeff Stack, 46:14

55. More Nuts, 46:30

56. TJ O’Connell, 46:48

57. Leah Chamberlain, 47:14

58. Christine Stack, 47:44

59. Ryan Paveglio, 47:46

60. Ralph Colarusso, 47:57

61. Kristy Rizzitello, 48:21

62. Jennifer Blais, 49:09

63. Sarah Paveglio, 49:20

64. Chris Cloutier, 49:37

65. Barry Towle, 50:04

66. Jarrod Widor, 50:15

67. Bruce Elliott, 51:09

68. Jeremy Hammond, 51:41

69. Mary Swiniarski, 52:02

70. Elizabeth Kenney, 52:26

71. Shannon Sansonetti, 53:43

72. Laurie Palow, 53:49

73. Brenda Vail, 54:47

74. Justin Ward, 55:06

75. Max Cavalli, 55:20

76. Don Fowler, 55:45

77. Kevin Logan, 55:59

78. Nuts, 56:09

79. Bruce Kenney, 56:22

80. Lawrence Bailey, 58:01

81. Roberta LaBreque, 58:46

82. Adam Gagne, 59:22

83. Rosemarie Danner, 59:47

84. Scott Olivieri, 1:00:16

85. Peter Paveglio, 1:01:33

86. Andrew Norkin, 1:01:53

87. No Nuts, Just Guts, 1:02:42

88. William Gould, 1:04:19

89. Carlos Quinones, 1:04:34

90. No Guts, Just Nuts, 1:08:50

91. Roberg Gargano, 1:11:25