The Naples Fitness Challenge returned to Naples Beach Club for its 36th installment

The Naples Fitness Challenge returned to the Naples Beach Club for its 36th annual installment with over 400 athletes competing Sunday morning.

Sunday’s event featured three different fitness challenges, including the reverse sprint triathlon, relay team divisions and a new challenge in the reverse sprint duathlon.

Queens University graduate student and Naples resident Dan O’Dell secured a second consecutive first-place finish in the triathlon.

“I’m just really happy to be out here,” O’Dell said. “I was sick all my senior year of college for cross country and track, so I was just super happy the weather cooperated. Just a nice morning, great people out here, just happy to be a part of this.”

Triathlon athlete Dan O'Dell at the 36th Annual Naples Fitness Challenge at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Sunday, June 5, 2022

The First Baptist Academy alum finished this year’s triathlon with a time of 47:54.4, nearly three minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. O’Dell who has competed in the event since he was an eighth grader hopes to return next year to defend his crown.

“It’s just a fun event to be a part of,” O’Dell said. “If it’s back next year, I’ll be here for sure.”

Naples resident Brooke Kelley was the first female competitor to cross the finish line, finishing with a time of 57:23.7.

Triathlon athlete Brooke Kelley at the 36th Annual Naples Fitness Challenge at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Sunday, June 5, 2022

“I moved down here right before COVID hit actually, so I’ve been really excited to compete in this event for the past couple of years,” Kelley said. “It’s great that it’s back and everyone was so positive on the course.”

Kelley, a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Rhode Island, began training for triathlons in the off-season to stay in shape will now continue to train for triathlons full-time.