Twenty-seven members of the Club Emerald Triathlon team competed in the Lake Stevens Half Ironman triathlon on July 21.

The event, which included a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run, featured 1,500 athletes. Five of the Club Emerald team members entered as part of a relay, with 22 doing the race as individuals.

Each athlete had eight hours from the start at around 6:30 a.m. to complete the race.

The Club Emerald team won the Division V Tri Club championship, while Jay Nygaard, Loren Pokorny and Hugo Hamerlinck earned second place as a relay. Ginny Pietila finished in fourth place in the women’s 50-54 age group.

Three of the team’s members qualified for the Half Ironman World Championships, which will be held in Las Vegas on Sept. 8. Kim Sharman, Lesley Maisey and Pietila will compete at the event.

The Club Emerald Triathlon Team is in its 15th year, and is coached by Ginny Pietila. The team begins training in February each year, working through the local triathlon season which typically lasts until Labor Day.

To learn more about the team, visit www.triclubemerald.com.