Good Sports: Edward Catania

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's Edward Catania caught the bug, as he calls it, around a dozen years ago, and his life has never been the same.

"A running event the Susan B. Komen Race in Woodward Park, I participated in that, and then I got the bug of enjoying running in those sports," said Catania.

What started with a run to support breast cancer awareness and research turned into a love for modified triathlons and an affinity for a Sacramento staple.

"They had an ad for this Eppie's Race, and I thought man that would be really a lot of fun because it's running, biking and kayaking. Whereas I'm not a swimmer, so I thought the kayaking leg of it would be really great," said Catania.

Saturday's 41st annual Eppie's Great Race will be Catania's 10th in a row, and at 59 years young, Catania shows no signs of slowing down.

"There's a lot of great races in Fresno, and I think it's great to participate in these races in the community; I think it's important that we support our community," said Catania.

As the owner of a noisy construction company, Catania enjoys the contrast of a quiet, peaceful day in the water.

"Oh yeah, it's a sense of therapy. I love this stuff. Definitely takes you away from the everyday problem-solving that we face," said Catania.

He knows he's a late bloomer in the racing world, but Catania wants to make sure people know that if he can do it, anyone can.

"You're improving on the community, you're helping people, and you're having fun doing it," said Catania. "It doesn't get any better than that; that's the thing."