Nebraskaland

58 Nebraskaland • May 2026 If you've ever dreamed about participating in a triathlon, but don't want or can't do the whole thing — Crofton's Dam Race is the answer. The three-sport event combines kayaking, running and bicycling and kicks off at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area and ends on Main Street in Crofton, where an after-party and "the best dam bloody Mary" awaits competitors and visitors. The race was started in 2018 by a small group of community members looking to encourage more tourism to their town by the scenic Lewis and Clark Lake. The July event grew from 58 racers in its first year to over 350 racers from 12 states in 2025 — some came as far away as California, Maryland and Florida. The race is not about competition, said Heidi Marsh, a Crofton volunteer who has been part of the event's planning committee since the beginning. "We have elite racers come, and we love them and they're welcome, but that's not our target," Marsh said. "People come because they want a unique racing opportunity and to have a really good time." Organizers have made the race as accessible and inclusive as possible, with participants ranging from 14 years old to their 70s. A true grassroots effort, Crofton's Dam Race is about community spirit, hospitality and getting people outside and moving. A RAce foR everyone D u r i n g i t s i n ce p t i o n , co m m i t te e members wanted to offer a triathlon that would embrace the Lewis and Clark Lake region. The event consists of a 1.5-mile kayak on the lake, then a 5k run through the state recreation area, followed by a 12-mile bike ride into the town of Crofton. The event is unique in that racers have a multitude of options on how they want to participate — organizers a re c o n t i n u a l l y t h i n k i n g of ways to encourage and a c c o m m o d a t e r a c e r s o f different abilities. " Yo u c a n d o t h e w h o l e thing yourself — do every leg of the race. Or like a lot of people new to racing, they'll jump in with a team," Marsh explained. "You can just do the kayak portion, or you can just do the running portion, or just the bike portion with a team. And often, those teams are made up of family members or coworkers or people you just want to have fun with." For example, Marsh's cousin Kyle is a teacher in Hartington with cerebral palsy. For his 40th birthday, Kyle entered the race with Marsh's husband, Craig. Kyle was able to race the kayak portion while Craig did the running and biking portions. The 2025 event was the team's third year of competing together. Marsh's daughter, Claire, also raced for the first time when she was 14 years old, training with her dad all summer, and she almost beat him. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Northeast Region Park Superintendent Tyler Wulf's brother-in-law also did the race after having quadruple bypass surgery. "He set a goal to be able to do the race after surgery, and he did a great job. And he finished," Marsh said. Additionally, two more events were added in 2025. Julie Moeller of Crofton participates in the full triathlon: kayaking 1.5 miles, running 5k and biking 12 miles. COOPER DAVIS Stacy and Terry Thoene of Eagle racing with their 7-year-old son, Oliver, who is battling CLN2 Batten's Disease. JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND

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