Arleen DeNutte, right, and her daughter, Pam DeNutte, take a break during training for the 12th annual Tri for a
Cure triathlon for a quick smile. Sunday’s event will be Arleen DeNutte’s first triathlon. (Contributed photo)

SOUTH PORTLAND – For the last 11 years, Arleen DeNutte has watched from the sidelines as more than a thousand women push their physical limits to raise money for cancer. But, this time, the 75-year-old Saco resident isn’t going to cheer. She’s going to try. 

The 12th annual Tri for a Cure triathlon is scheduled for Sunday at its usual location on the campus of Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. An opening ceremony starts around 8:10 a.m. and approximately 1,300 women will plunge into the Atlantic Ocean following a survivor lap shortly afterward. 

“To be doing my first ever triathlon at 75 … there are times that I think that it’s overwhelming,” Arleen DeNutte said. “I will certainly not be in the top groups. I’m hoping not to be last … I think it’s a privilege just to be able to participate.” 

Tri for a Cure was founded in 2008 by Julie Marchese and Abby Bliss and the state’s only all-women’s triathlon has grown into one of the largest in Maine. 

Arleen DeNutte has been around since the start, supporting her daughter, Pam DeNutte, each year as she’s powered through the USA Triathlon-sanctioned 1/3-mile swim, 15-mile bike ride and three-mile run in all 11 Tri for a Cure events. 

Arleen DeNutte’s familiar with the challenge before her on Sunday, and she’s no stranger to the reason Tri for a Cure exists in the first place. 

She and her husband, Richard DeNutte, each lost both of their parents to various forms of cancer 17 months apart between 1994-95. 

Eleanor DeNutte, Arleen DeNutte’s mother-in-law, died first at 73-years-old from breast cancer. Her father, William Simpson, 80, died shortly after following a battle with lung cancer. Eight weeks later, 76-year-old Helen Simpson, Arleen DeNutte’s mother, died from pancreatic cancer. Seven weeks after that, Henry DeNutte, 80, Arleen DeNutte’s father-in-law, died from lung cancer. 

“I don’t think either side of the family actually had time to grieve,” Arleen DeNutte said. 

“I always feel guilty that it took me 11 years to really get into (Tri for a Cure) … But, last year, I was so inspired. Lady after lady, of all different abilities. Some of them were people who I would never imagine doing a triathlon. But, they did it.” 

Arleen DeNutte was so excited to participate this year that she signed up for the lottery-style registration drawing less than a week after the 2018 triathlon ended. Her daughter-in-law, Kara DeNutte, a cancer survivor herself, registered at the exact same time. Arleen DeNutte was chosen in the lottery’s first round. Kara DeNutte, 50, had to wait in anguish for a little while longer. 

“Waiting for the notice of ‘in’ or ‘not in’ was like waiting in line for a big scary roller coaster,” Kara DeNutte said. “I was the last to get notified and, honestly, when I got the notice I still felt nervous … I think, if we thought longer about it, maybe we wouldn’t have (signed up) but we went ahead and registered right there. As soon as we did it we were like, ‘What did we just get ourselves into?’”

Both women started training immediately. Kara DeNutte with her 8-year-old son, Ryan DeNutte, near their home in Massachusetts, and Arleen DeNutte with her daughter in Maine. They’ve taken advantage of many of the pre-event clinics, such as tire changing and swim training, offered by the Maine Cancer Foundation. 

Arleen DeNutte’s chipped off about 15 minutes from her total time since she started training, she said, and she’s confident she’ll accomplish her goal: to cross the finish line. 

Those who know her est have no doubt she’ll achieve her objective. 

“It’s been fun to show her the course and talk about transitions – I’m excited to see her finish,” said Pam DeNutte. “She keeps getting stronger and faster. I watched her overcome her fear in the ocean … I always get emotional at this event, and I have a feeling there will be tears of joy at the finish this year.” 

“She just doesn’t see barriers,” said Kara DeNutte. “She looks at how she can best accomplish whatever she decides to do, and then she does it. She is amazing. I love her, and I am so very happy and proud to be doing this with her and with Pam.”

Each Tri for a Cure athlete is required to fundraise at least $500, according to the event’s website. Arleen DeNutte passed the $2,000 mark last week. Kara DeNutte has raised about $2,200 and Pam DeNutte hit her goal of $2,500. Every dollar raised stays in Maine. 

At times during the training process, such as moments in the water, Arleen DeNutte got nervous. When she felt anxiety creeping in, she looked toward the heavens and the reason she’s entering the fight. 

“I’m laying on my back looking up and thinking, “Yup, you’re all watching me. I know you are,’” she said. “You can’t help but think of your own parents. It’s just very inspiring … Hopefully, there will be a cure (for cancer) one day.”