Takes A Trio To Beat This 69-Year-Old

It was three against one.

The Steffen family decided to add a bit of friendly competition to Crofton’s Dam Race on Saturday.

Jane (Steffen) Wright, a senior athlete from Idaho, traveled back to her hometown for the unique triathlon experience. Her nephews, Doug and Craig Steffen of Crofton, along with Doug’s daughter Abby, split up the legs to team up against their Aunt Jane.

Craig, 39, paddled the kayak, 15-year-old Abby ran and Doug, 40, biked — while their 69-year-old aunt and the oldest competitor in the entire race — did all three legs herself.

Jane said her niece Karen Arens from Crofton sent her the race information a few months ago.

“I thought I could tie in a visit to my family and it looked really interesting,” she said were her reasons for signing up for the race.

A retired accountant, Jane is no stranger to triathlon competitions.

“I just got back from the National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico,” she said. “I did the triathlon and swam in the swim meet. I placed 5th nationally.”

The younger Steffens said deciding who would compete on each leg was an easy decision.

“Abby is in cross country so that made sense. And I told Doug I wasn’t biking, so that left kayaking,” Craig said with a smile.

Doug and his teammates agreed that his 12-mile bike ride was probably the toughest of the three.

“After that second hill, my thighs were telling me I had the toughest leg,” Doug said.

Jane said she loved having so many family members there cheering her on. 

“That’s what kept me going,” Doug agreed.

In the end, the trio edged out their aunt by just under seven minutes, 2:03:25 to 2:10:07. 

“It takes three of us to beat her,” Craig said, chuckling.

“They need to up their game,” Jane quipped back. “I’m like 30 years older than they are.” 

Besides, she still left a winner. Jane won the women’s 60 and older division by more than five minutes.

“Winning is fun,” she said with a medal around her neck and a wide grin.