Her Tri For The Y

A decade ago, Laura DeWitt found herself trying to lose 40 pounds of baby weight by running with a double stroller.

She had been an avid runner before the births of her two sons, but taking them along didn't work so well.

"It was like pushing a couch," DeWitt recalled.

So she headed to Hernando County's YMCA branch on Mariner Boulevard, where she could drop off Noah and Jesse in the child care program while she exercised.

"Having that time was so liberating," she said.

DeWitt took that liberation and ran, swam and cycled with it.

She entered her first triathlon, got hooked and has since finished the grueling Ironman race six times, including two times at the championship race in Hawaii.

Competitors take all day to slog through a 2.4-mile open water swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.

Much of her success is due to time spent training in the Y, especially in the pool, DeWitt said. Now 46, she is using her fitness to help give more people the same opportunity.

DeWitt is slated to compete today in the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 - half the distance of an Ironman - in Clearwater. She seeks pledges of support that will go directly to help low-income residents join the YMCA at reduced rates.

DeWitt, a YMCA board member for the last five years, came up with the idea to solicit "sponsors" after learning that the United Way wouldn't be providing $25,000 in annual assistance that would go toward the financial aid program.

"That's a lot of kids who are going to go without access to the Y's programs," she said. She hopes to raise the entire $25,000 and has reached the $6,000 mark.

DeWitt, co-owner of natural food stores in Spring Hill, Brooksville and Inverness, has been an avid supporter of the Y for the last five years, said Sue Ball, executive director for the Hernando branch.

"This year she's just taking it to a whole different level," Ball said.

As the economy contracts and Hernando's YMCA branch expands, the need for the financial assistance program is "bigger now than ever," Ball said.

Contributors can provide a one-time cash donation or put a monthly pledge on a credit card. Though the race is today, DeWitt will be collecting donations through the end of this month.

DeWitt has another goal for this weekend: She wants to break the 5-hour mark.

"I'll take 4:59.59," she said laughing.

Helping out

To find out how to contribute to Laura DeWitt's campaign for the YMCA's Hernando branch, call her at 796-9798 or the Y at 688-9622.