August 22, 2009

The race is now over, but the memories that each child and parent created will last forever.  Over 170 kids swam, biked, and ran their hearts out to on a glorious day.  Here is a recap of the day's events.

Friday, August 21, 2009

With plenty of volunteers working to create the course, line the run, and drop off supplies, athletes and their families came to the outdoor pool at Sports*Com to pickup their packet and goodie bag for race day.  Inside their packet was their bib number, safety pins, a helmet sticker, a help sheet, and their USAT form.  The goodies bag had plenty of coupons, gift certificates, and other fun items, as well as their race t-shirt.  Over 100 of the athletes came to early packet pickup, which made the next morning's pickups extremely manageable.  Thanks to all of the parents for coming the day before the race.

Later on Friday night, a triathlon clinic was given to help kids understand the right thing to do for transition and for the swim.  Many kids stayed to attend the clinic and were now ready for the next morning.

RACE DAY - Saturday, August 22, 2009

Many of the volunteers worked through the night to setup the transition area, put signs out on the course and ready the course with barrels and cones.  More volunteers from ADK sorority and the Siegel Cross Country Team arrived by 5:00AM to start getting ready for their instructions for the day.  By 6:00AM, athletes and their parents started to arrive and started to set their bikes and equipment in the transition area.  The pool and transition area was now buzzing with nervous and excited kids all ready for the trio of events ahead, the swim, the bike, and ofcourse the run.

Time for the Start

By 7:00AM, all kids were in the pool area and now anxious for the start.  Our Emcee, Woody Wood from 107.5 The River, started the day off with some announcements.  The race crew gave some final instructions, and at exactly 7:15AM, the first Senior Division participant, Rhett Lundy, was in the pool.  He was followed by 65 more Senior Division athletes, with all of the swimmers able to finish the 8 laps of 25 yards, for a total of 200 yards.  (Now ask yourself, can you swim that far?  I think our kids showed some great perserverence in completing the long swim.)

Fastest Senior Swim Times: Elijah Leskinen (2:23), Rhett Lundy (2:33) Lainey Massaro (2:42)

The bike was a few twists and turns of 2 loops around the facility of SportsCom.  The kids would go and do 1 loop of 2.4, get their arm marked at the turn and then do a second loop for a total of 4.8 miles.  With some of the kids averaging over 18 mph, it made for a great race. 

Fastest Senior Bike Times:  Caden Pennington (15:39) Gheorge Meyer (15:43) Dylan Webb (15:45)

Once athletes finished the bike, they re-racked their bikes and were off on a fast run.  The 1 mile run course was on mostly flat terrain with a few kids under 8 minutes per mile.  

Fastest Senior Run Times: Elijah Leskinen (7:12), Hayden Cliche (7:36) Gheorge Meyer (8:07)

The best times for the day were not the best swimmers, or best bikers, or even the best runners.  It was the individuals who had a steady and even race throughout.  Congratulations to all of the kids on a great performance.  

Once the Senior Division racers finished, they received a finisher medal, a water bottle, and were treated to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with bread from Bunny Bread and wonderful treats from Sassy Veg and Great Harvest.

The Juniors Take the Stage!!

Once the Senior division was well underway, it was time for the Juniors.  The Junior course was pretty much the same as the Senior course except half of the distance.  The swim started at 8:00AM and the leaders were well on their way.  Of course the best part of the Junior race was not the fast swimmers or the terrors on the bike course.  The most fun and gratifying part was the kids giving a triathlon a try for the first time.  The 7 year old that was able to make it through 4 laps and trek over to the transition area and not only put on their helmet, but also TIE THEIR OWN SHOES!!  Let's not forget how courageous this was for our Junior division.

It is really amazing how fast some of our girl triathletes were in the pool, just look at the top swim times.

Fastest Junior Swim Times: Maria Botha (1:36) McKenna Morello (1:39) Liz Tank (1:41)

Fastest Junior Bike Times:  Stone Bresnahan (9:00) Camden Smith (9:06) Lauren Farkas (9:16)

Fastest Junior Run Times:  Maria Botha (3:35) Liz Tank (3:36) Matthew Baker (3:36)

Once all of the racers finished.  They enjoyed some treats and drinks and then also were recognized for their great finishes.  The winners received a hat with the event's logo and a zip bag with the event's logo, as well as 2nd and 3rd place received a bag.  Also, Dick's Sporting Goods gavegift certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and also gave gift certificates for door prizes.  Other door prizes includes bike helmets, DVDs, gift certificates, MTSU gifts, and many more.