Red Hills Kids Triathlon – 2008
 

Thoughts from the Race Directors (Felton & Bonnie Wright)

Whew! The 2008 Red Hills Kids Triathlon is over – and by that we mean we had some fast kids out there on Sunday May 18, 2008. A quick blink and the first boy, Hunter Honeycutt, a USAT National Youth team member, was crossing the finish line in a course record of 13:03.22, providing the competitive stimulus for the next 4 competitors (Brian Bowden, John Gideon Mottice, Scott Fortier and Med McDonald) to also finish in less than 14 minutes. The top time last year was 14.12. The girls were not to be out-done and were equally impressive. Kristin Sweeney, a veteran of RHKT set new standards at 14:19 besting the 2007 standard set by Lily Williams at 15:00. Close behind Kristin was Cecelia Williams at 14:31. This trend for speed continued as we compared times down the age groups with Lauren McBroom, Matthew McBroom, Mary Katherine Delegal and Alex Bowman besting last years personal times by over 2 minutes and Luke Liles at 1 minute.

And yet we still have room in the RHKT for fun. We witnessed the youngest athletes who acquired “swim-buddies. The young competitor who was so eager to ride he headed straight for the guard-house. Carbo-loading was essential for another who started the run with a donut in his hand. The finish line had it’s moments when an athlete was dressed for the occasion in a swim cap and goggles. And then there are the boys and girls who refuse to wash off their body-marking and wear their medals to school the next day.

And while the kids are swimming, biking and running, it is the volunteers who are the key component. We recognize our team leaders - Jeff Nielsen in the water, Mary Jane Tappen at Transition, Kathy McDaris at Registration, Tony Guillen on the run and Bill Lott, Tom Perkins and Judy Alexander at the Finish. Kathy Lindsay provided the tasty assortment of food and goodies. Fred Deckert provided the pictures. Dana Stetson delivered the equipment, while Trolley boy, Reid got folks to their destination on time and Bruce Lynn was chief of parking police.

We appreciate that we know so many in the club who are willing, when their names are called to take on a task and take care of it - Stephanie Liles, Jason Graham, & John McBroom, e.g. To know that Brook Pace will find over 10 volunteers from the Higher Ground Team and the GWTC Tri club makes life so much easier. Our bike support and spare helmet providers, which allow some kids who forget their gear to compete include Ed at Sunshine Cycle and Roger at Higher Ground. Yum, thanks to the Gulf Winds Track Club for our social.

To all the other volunteers who worked for the first time, and to those who have worked for many years - we thank you. Philip, Lanai, Patrick, Tara, George, Mary Jean, Ed, Dana, Frank, Harry, Randy, Judy, Frank G, Jackie, Ed, Mary, Karen, Robert, Rick Amy, Mike, Joe, Robert, Sharon, Sean, Bobby, Lynne, Bruce, Joy, Bill, Joy, Kelly, Joe, David, Bill, Jerry, Scott, Courtney, Loranne, Manny, Seely, Sarah, Rick and Chesslyn. And to the volunteers that step in when they see something needs done, yet go unrecognized, we are grateful. The support of the Draper & Wright family is invaluable.

Finally, the Chenoweth Fund and Merrill Lynch, provide financial support so that every competitor takes home something to cherish, including the feeling of doing their best. Thank you.

Felton and Bonnie

Find results here and Fred Deckert’s pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Freddecka/RedHillKidsTri