Rick Betton age 71 died shortly after exiting the swim during a race in Wilmington, NC. I knew Rick and his family. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
That’s very sad. Not that it makes it any better as 71 is still too young to say goodbye, but I have to imagine a guy taking his last breathe doing a triathlon at 71 is probably a guy taking his last breathe doing something he loves.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for his family. I was at the race and it was very sad.
Sorry to hear about your friends loss.
That’s very sad. Not that it makes it any better as 71 is still too young to say goodbye, but I have to imagine a guy taking his last breathe doing a triathlon at 71 is probably a guy taking his last breathe doing something he loves.
Like every triathlete I’m sure he loved finally being done with the swim.
Has anyone thought of a memorial page on this sites where triathletes who die in sport can be honored? I realize the optics might not be great to be the top Google result for deaths in triathlon, but there’s probably something to be said for a place like this site known to at a couple people worldwide at every triathlon to have a user submitted directory of memorials.
I remember seeing this site previously
List of triathlon fatalities - Wikipedia
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Was this at the Azalea Sprint? I didn’t see them comment on it or on the local news. So sad to hear. Sorry for the loss of your friend 
Was this at the Azalea Sprint? I didn’t see them comment on it or on the local news. So sad to hear. Sorry for the loss of your friend
Yes, it was at Azalea. The announcer asked everyone to keep the family in their thoughts at the beginning of awards. He did not specifically say that the athlete died. I’ve been checking for updates for the last 24 hours. I guess now it is confirmed.
Ugh, that’s just so sad. Appreciate the reply. All the best to his family
North Carolina Triathlon Series posted on its Facebook page an official acknowledgement of the death today.