Fairfield U. Employees Enter Triathlon for Charity

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Steve Dailey blames Brian Remigio for getting him involved in this “crazy idea.” The two Fairfield University employees have been training together for years with an eye on getting in shape. But Dailey says it was Remigio’s idea to enter a series of road races starting last fall. It was also Remigio’s brainchild for them to sign up for an Olympic-level triathlon.

Dailey, from Stratford, and Remigio, from Orange, will compete in the Nautica New York City Triathlon on Aug. 7. The two computer technicians will swim 1 mile, bike another 25, and finish off the day with a 6-mile run. But they won’t just be running for their own health. Dailey and Remigio agreed to compete to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“Some charities’ fundraising requirements were significantly less than that of the American Cancer Society,” says Remigio. “But I wanted to raise money for a cause that had significance to me and my family.”

Both men have personal connections to the Cancer Society. Remigio’s father and aunt are cancer survivors, and an aunt died from melanoma. Dailey lost his mother to colon cancer nine years ago, when she was just 56.

“Each time I train or run a race, I do it with my mother on my mind,” Dailey says. “She helps drive me harder and push me to always go 100 percent.”

The duo have been “training like crazy” for the past eight months. They have gone swimming in Fairfield University’s pool and along Jennings Beach. They have run laps around the school’s campus. And they have biked through the hill areas of northern Fairfield County.

The workouts might be grueling, but Remigio has another inspiration. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year, and since then has used his training to dedicate himself to staying healthy.

“I have two daughters, ages 4 and 2, and I didn’t want this disease to beat me and have them grow up without a father,” says Remigio. “I also want them to see me exercise every day, with the hope that they’ll be inspired to make daily exercise a part of their lives as well.”

So far Dailey and Remigio have raised nearly $8,000 for the American Cancer Society. To make a donation, visit the Team Fairfield webpage.

Do you know any Fairfielders doing great things for charity? Send photos and information to gcanuel@thedailyfairfield.com.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.