Grit Races revives Huntington Sprint Triathlon with nearly 240 athletes

Grit Races debuted with a revived Huntington Sprint Triathlon on June 28 at Huntington Reservation in Bay Village, drawing nearly 240 athletes from multiple states and Australia. The event crowned Painesville’s Johnny Delbalso and Cleveland Heights’ Becca Schulte as overall winners and sets up a 2027 return.

Why it matters: - The Huntington Sprint Triathlon returned after nearly a decade away, bringing a longtime Northeast Ohio race back to Huntington Reservation. - Grit Races used the event as the official debut for its new multisport race organization. - The turnout of nearly 240 athletes signals early demand for the Cleveland-based company’s race lineup. - The race added to the local multisport calendar in Bay Village, Avon Lake and along Lake Erie’s shoreline.

What happened: - Grit Races hosted the inaugural Huntington Sprint Triathlon on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Huntington Reservation in Bay Village. - Athletes came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, Florida and Australia. - The race used a sprint-distance format with a 750-meter swim, 13.1-mile bike ride and 3-mile run. - Painesville’s Johnny Delbalso won the men’s race in 1:02:43.25. - Westlake’s Derek Stone finished second in 1:03:34.23. - Cleveland’s Michael Houdek finished third in 1:06:52.26. - Becca Schulte of Cleveland Heights won the women’s race in 1:10:02.44. - Micaela Gonzalez Kail of Broadview Heights finished second in 1:15:41.29. - Kaitlin Switzer of Defiance took third in 1:17:54.18.

The details: - Race-day conditions were near ideal, with temperatures from 67 to 73 degrees, light 2.5 mph winds and calm water. - Volunteers lined the course and finish area throughout Huntington Reservation. - The course and finish-line atmosphere highlighted views across Bay Village and Avon Lake neighborhoods. - The final two finishers, Cindy Wildman and Frank Bigowsky, crossed the line together while holding hands. - Melanie Prohaska, co-owner and race director, said the event matched the vision behind Grit Races and brought athletes from multiple states together to compete and support one another. - Grit Races described the event as welcoming athletes from first-timers to seasoned triathletes chasing podium spots.

Between the lines: - The strong debut gives Grit Races a proof point as it tries to build a durable regional race brand. - The mix of competitive times, first-time participants and community-focused moments suggests the company is positioning the event as both a race and a shared experience. - The revival of a familiar local triathlon may help Grit Races stand out in a crowded endurance-sports market.

What's next: - Grit Races plans to bring the Huntington Sprint Triathlon back in 2027. - The company will announce the 2027 race date and registration details in the coming months through its official channels. - The next event on the 2026 Grit Races calendar is Tri CLE Rock Roll Run on Aug. 16, 2026. - Grit Races said it will continue expanding multisport events across Northeast Ohio and beyond. - More information is available through Grit Races' official site and its social channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

The bottom line: - Grit Races turned its first event into a successful relaunch of a dormant Northeast Ohio triathlon, and it now has momentum for a 2027 return.