MARYSVILLE – Fifteen teams and three individuals competed in the 2nd Triathlon for city employees Wednesday.

The event is part of the Healthy Lifestyles program at the city.

Mayor Jon Nehring finished first in the individual competition, and beat 11 of the teams on his own.

Parks director Jim Ballew said there were a few fewer contestants this year.

One of those missing was Police Chief Rick Smith. Fire Chief Martin McFalls was worked up about that. After last year’s event, they talked trash at the following City Council meeting. McFalls was ready for a grudge match, joking that Smith got away with breaking the law on the bike because of his rank.

Smith said an injury kept him from participating. And besides, he had to man the 1-mile buoy in the kayak race due to his public safety status.

The event featured a 2-mile kayak trip up Ebey Slough, a 6.3-mile bike ride out to 67th and returning on Sunnyside Boulevard, and about a 2-mile run around the wastewater treatment plant and along the new trail near the Qwuloolt Estuary then back to Ebey Waterfront Park to finish and partake in a barbecue.