David Caldarella couldn’t help but smile. He had just managed the start line of the 5K race, directed cyclists to the transition area during the triathlon, and at about 9:30 a.m. on June 17 gazed at the crowd gathered near the gazebo next to Lake Manahawkin as some of the runners still finishing the triathlon cruised by the finish line.

“Just look at this,” he mused, a moment before a man stopped by to shake his hand and thank him for another great event. “This is just tremendous.