Jun 28, 2002 By Justin Zackal For The 4 min read

If it’s not broke, then Andy Ferguson is not going to try to fix it. As the new race director for the 11th annual Uniontown Triathlon, Ferguson is more rudimental than radical in his approach.

As well he should be.

The Uniontown Triathlon is renowned for its simplicity, structure and safety.

“It has been run so well that we don’t want any modifications,” Ferguson said. “The key is, if it’s not broke, then don’t fix it.”

Ferguson has learned well from his uncle and long-time race director Dan Bryson, as he takes over the annual event for 2002.

What Ferguson has inherited is one of the most stable triathlons in the area.

“So many people are involved, a multitude of people help out,” Ferguson said. “That’s what makes this run so well. I thought Dan did such a wonderful job; he’s put so much time into it.”

The triathlon will begin Saturday morning at 6:30 at the Uniontown Senior High School, as all proceeds from the event benefit the Uniontown Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.

“We’ve added a few new sponsors,” Ferguson said, “other than that we are not changing a thing.”

The event’s main sponsors are the Eberly Foundation and the Fayette Striders, while significant numbers of volunteers come from the Salvation Army, Asbury United Methodist Church and the Uniontown Police Reserve Unit.

But the people are not the only aspect of the triathlon’s fame. The course itself is ideal for beginners, while still attracting the area’s top tri-athletes.

“It’s a well-known triathlon for its quality in the way it’s put on, and for the quality of the course,” Ferguson said. “It is kind of small and its good for those getting used to the feel of triathlons.”

The course, which begins and ends at the high school, will consist of a 200-yard swim in the high school natatorium, followed by a 10.3-mile bike ride through Hopwood and South Union Township. The final leg of the course will be a 4.25-mile run through downtown Uniontown, ending at the 50-yardline of Bill Power Stadium.

“The course is good for beginners,” Ferguson said. “It is also good for those who don’t have the time to train for something larger. It is a safe triathlon, and it is well marked.”

Approximately 250 tri-athletes will take part in this year’s event, including relay teams for men, women, mixed and businesses.

Two-time defending champion and Morgantown native Vinnie Monseau won the event in 2000 and 2001 with times of 55:38 and 57:01, respectively. Finishing second to Monseau last year was Allison Park’s Matt Meehan, who is a six-time champion, winning his first title in 1993.

Sandra Fischer is also a reigning champion as the overall winner in the female division with a time of 1:05:44 in 2001.

SERJ Racing Services will continue to record the times for its eighth year with the triathlon, while hundreds of volunteers will turn out to help run the event, which includes tonight’s dinner at the Asbury Church, and initial course preparations at 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Ferguson is confident that the triathlon will continue to grow and serve the community. As a third-generation president of Ferguson Funeral Home, Inc., he knows its importance.

“I was always taught to be involved with the community,” Ferguson said, “and to show the community that you care about them by getting involved.”

Ferguson’s motivation for the triathlon stems from his involvement with the events of Sept. 11. His emergency management team of the Salvation Army was the first on the scene at the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pa. Ferguson spent several days and nights helping man the command post, as government agencies surveyed the site.

Now, as Ferguson is serving the Salvation Army on brighter terms, the Uniontown Triathlon is ready for yet another successful year. Ferguson’s monetary goal for the event is between $9,000 and $10,000.

“This is a great draw for our community,” Ferguson said. “It’s wonderful. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”