No matter what it's called, a triathlon is a grueling event.

The Tri for Inclusion, which took place recently at Parkland High School, was no exception.

Spearheaded by Kimberly Resh of Mikayla's Voice, the event was a swim-bike-run competition for persons with physical and/or intellectual disabilities to compete side-by-side with varsity athletes.

The community-wide effort made sure kids of all abilities could participate together.

There were 37 participants, each with their own support team and personal cheering section, event organizers, volunteers, fans, and 200 members of the community.

A primary goal of the organizers was to create awareness for their causes and cultivate support. Educating people was where the event became personal.

Discomfort around people with disabilities was the first wall of ignorance to fall.

The first thing one learned when talking with the participants and their friends, after the subject of an individual's disability was quickly exhausted, was the idea the Tri-athlon was not "me" helping "them," but humans helping humans.

Questions asked at any sporting event applied here: What's your strongest event? How'd you train? Where'd you get your bike? How does your support team help you? Have you competed before?

Many competed in last year's Tri for Inclusion. Once one got to the specific questions for each athlete, it was hard to tell the difference between this and any other sporting event. South Whitehall Township Commissioner Christina "Tori" Morgan and her daughter Jillian manned a water station on the running course, named "Heartbreak Hill."

The hill was dotted with motorcycles owned by members of the Elite Disciples, a local club, who could have held their own with any honor guard.

Teams of professionals from Cetronia Ambulance and Greenawalds Fire and Rescue dotted the course.

Parkland High School cheerleaders gave all cyclists a champion's cheer.

IronPigs player Tyler Knigge and mascots FeRROUS and Fifi added a level of celebrity to the event at the finish line award ceremony.

The "take aways" from the event are the excitement, the courage, the triumphs of each participant; and the satisfaction, sense of community and humility of the throngs of volunteers and observers.