Susie Nee
In 2013, Jim and Carol McKenna moved to PebbleCreek from California, hoping to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Jim loved taking the kids on outings and cheering at their games, but he was also a longtime triathlete and coach—and he missed coaching.
Soon after arriving, mutual friends introduced Jim to a small group of PebbleCreek women who were just beginning to explore sprint triathlons. The group would eventually become the PebbleCreek TriChicks—a perfect match. Jim brought patience, encouragement, and a much-needed sense of humor as he guided them through swimming, biking, running, and especially the mysteries of transitions. One of the more memorable moments of his “coaching career” came when a participant actually called him mid-race to check in while she was running a triathlon. Jim clearly had his work cut out for him!
Jim passed away last summer, and because many of the TriChicks were away during his Celebration of Life, they chose another way to honor him—by doing what had brought them together. On Nov. 9, 2025, seven members competed in the Jim McKenna Memorial Triathlon, while the rest of the group, including his wife Carol, cheered them on. Jim was there in spirit, and in one very visible way: his photo, mounted on a stick, was carried along the course to encourage the team he had inspired.