Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team seeks help raising $30,000

In the Roaring Fork Valley, where community spirit meets the grit of endurance sports, the Roaring Fork Women’s Triathlon Team has carved out a unique space for female athletes of all ages and backgrounds. 

Now entering its third decade, RFWTT stands as the largest, women-only sporting group in Colorado, continuing to champion the idea that triathlons can be accessible, empowering, and deeply supportive.

“The focus of the team is about empowering women and creating a safe space to lift women up,” said Sharma Phillips, a certified Ironman triathlon coach and personal fitness instructor who helps coach RFWTT. “We remind former athletes that they can still be athletic even though they are in a different phase of life. We have taught women who have never been athletic that there is a way to get off the couch and start using their bodies — all while creating a safe place with positive female culture.”

To ensure that the sport remains accessible, RFWTT runs a scholarship program for women who may need financial assistance for gear, training, or race entry fees. Proceeds from the team’s annual fundraiser — a Bingo and Beer Brunch slated for Saturday, April 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Casey’s Brewing Taproom in Glenwood Springs — will go directly to this fund.

This year, the team has set a fundraising goal of $30,000 to help expand access to the sport.

“All of the money that we raise at the fundraiser is for the scholarship fund,” Phillips said. “This is an expensive sport. There is a lot of equipment, and we have a lot of rental space needs associated with that. Joining the team — because we have all of these fees associated with the race — costs money, as well.”

Whether it’s help with registration fees, access to a community center pool, or lodging for race weekend, the fund aims to remove any financial barriers. Carla Westerman, a certified USA Triathlon level 1 coach, emphasized that inclusivity is non-negotiable. 

“We try very hard to not make the financial part a barrier to joining the team,” she said. 

Founded in 1999 by Nancy Reinisch and Judy Haynes, RFWTT was born out of that desire to create a welcoming environment for women interested in the challenge of triathlon. 

Reinisch, an accomplished athlete and author, envisioned a team where camaraderie and personal growth were just as important as finishing times. What began as a small, close-knit group has since grown into a dynamic network of athletes, from complete beginners to experienced racers. Today, the team includes both returning athletes and first-time participants. 

“This is a team that is designed for beginner triathletes, but there is a spot for all kinds of athletes,” Phillips said. 

Though Reinisch passed away from breast cancer in 2019, her legacy lives on through the women who continue to train, compete, and support one another. Coaching duties have been assumed by two team alumni in Phillips and Westerman.

Both first joined the team as novice athletes — Westerman in 2008 and Phillips in 2011 — and learned to swim through RFWTT’s beginner programs.

Every year, the team trains together through spring and summer in preparation for The Coeur Divas Sprint Triathlon, a sprint-distance race that includes a half-mile swim, a 12.4-mile bike ride, and a 3.1-mile run. 

For many women, this race represents far more than getting across the finish line. That culture, Phillips said, is rooted in camaraderie. 

Westerman agreed, noting that the team transforms what might be an intimidating first race into an experience of genuine support and self-discovery.

“We teach our athletes to get comfortable with our training program,” she said. “Then, once they are comfortable, we teach them to be uncomfortable. That is how you learn to do the hard things. You realize that you can do more than you think you can, but you do not realize that until you go out there and do it.”

Sometimes, she said, the key to transformation is simply hearing that someone believes you can succeed.

“Every year, we are teaching women to swim their first laps in a pool. We have taught women to ride a bike from scratch,” she said. “We teach everyone those skills from the basics. We have pace groups from our fastest girls to our walkers. We try to meet the needs of everybody that comes to us.”

Despite its beginner-friendly approach, the team consistently places athletes on the podium. 

“We’ve had a first-timer podium for the past four years,” Westerman said, who also credited the broader team effort. “Sharma and I cannot do this by ourselves. We have 13 coaches who help get these girls across the finish line. We are nothing without them.”

Phillips added, “In addition to our coaches, we have a support staff who is unseen. It is a big team, and it is well-supported by people who donate a lot of time.”

The Bingo and Beer Brunch event invites the wider community to share in the team’s mission. It will feature bingo, beer, and a silent auction. Organizers are currently seeking auction donations — items such as outdoor gear, services, or weekend getaways — that reflect the team’s adventurous and generous spirit.

Those who can’t attend are encouraged to support the cause by donating directly to the scholarship fund. Contributions can be made by contacting either Phillips or Westerman at RFWTTcoaches@gmail.com. To learn more or to sign up, visit roaringforktriteam.com.