On Sunday, June 26, 2022, 50 athletes competed in the Cohasset Triathlon as members of the Tri4Jett team, raising funds and awareness to support Jett Foundation’s mission to empower people and families impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through transformative programming.
The triathlon took place at Sandy Beach in Cohasset, Massachusetts for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes had the option to either complete the entire triathlon themselves or be part of a relay team, completing either the swim (.25mi), bike (12.1mi), or run (3.2mi). The Tri4Jett team included a mix of both relay teams and individuals.
Returning to the Cohasset Triathlon for the sixth time as part of the Tri4Jett team was Kelly McDonough, whose journey with Jett Foundation began in 2015. Kelly says, ”At the time (2015), my oldest was 14 months and I was expecting my second. I used the race as a way to announce my pregnancy with a ‘baby on board’ shirt. As a new mom, I stood in awe of the ultimate mama bear, Christine McSherry. I was amazed at the lengths she would go to for her children, namely, her son Jett. She inspired me to push my body to new limits.” Kelly then became committed to racing for those impacted by Duchenne.
“Racing with the Tri4Jett team became my small way of mirroring the strength and endurance that Christine has poured into her family and Jett Foundation,” says Kelly. “My motivation is renewed every year as innovative programs, research advances, and events are added to the long list of ways our fundraising is put to use. I would be remiss if I did not give God the full credit for this story. For reasons unknown to me, he guided me to this wonderful group of Tri4Jetters.”
Also moving for Duchenne this year was Craig Martin, local business owner of The Goodale Company, Inc.. Craig has been a long-time team sponsor of Jett Foundation’s Go! for Duchenne events and has been a member of the Tri4Jett team since 2015.
Craig says, “Every year, I dread getting in the cold water, but it doesn’t take long for me to remember that the challenge of the triathlon is nothing compared to the challenges that all the kids with Duchenne struggle through every day. The first year that Jett and his classmates from Bridgewater State competed with us continues to inspire me every year and gets me to plunge into that water to swim, bike, and run for all the kids that the Foundation supports.”
Jett Foundation is very thankful for Solid Biosciences Inc, a boston-based life science company focused on treating Duchenne, who teamed up with Jett Foundation to field many athletes on the 2022 Tri4Jett team. Through Solid Bioscience’s team members and the rest of the Tri4Jett team, Jett Foundation has reached nearly $20,000 in fundraising.
The 2022 Tri4Jett team’s top female finisher was Ellen Hanson, who is the chair of Jett Foundation’s Board of Directors. Ellen finished the race with a total time of 1:21:53. The team’s top male finisher was Vincent Jacques, who finished with a time of 1:17:58.
Jett Foundation will also send teams to the Falmouth Road Race, Gals for Cal Triathlon, and Rodman Ride for Kids this summer. To support our athletes in their fundraising goals, you can visit their fundraising pages or donate directly to Jett Foundation.
To view many more photos from Sunday’s event, check out the Tri4Jett album on Facebook!
Thank you to our 2022 Tri4Jett Sponsors!
