On your marks, get set, go! So went 225 kids aged four to 15 as they launched into the 10th annual 麻豆社国产Youth Triathlon at Brennan Park Sunday (May 9).
Kids streamed into 麻豆社国产from across the region, including a few from the U.S., to swim, cycle and run their way to the finish line on a sunny Mother's Day morning
"I think overall it was great," said race director Roz Gilbert. "The weather was awesome and the kids all seemed to be smiling."
The first place female finishers were Kaila Lafreniere, Jennifer Lafreniere, Laura Gates, Holly Henry and Deven Bane-Allen. Male first place finishers were Jordan Muller, Jesse Kryzanowski, Josiah Ney, Michael Milic, and Jonathan Wiley.
First place relay team finishers were the Krushers, Brackendale Boys, Two Boys and a Girl, The The's and The Squirrels.
Two participants in particular were especially delighted. Zachary Jordan and Stephanie Pawluk were rewarded for their dedication and perseverance with a few special prizes.
Jordan, a triathlete in the eight to nine-year-old class, won a pool party for himself and nine friends at Mountain Retreat Hotel because he's had several challenges in his young life that he's persevered through, said Gilbert.
"He has a bone disorder and he's had tumour surgery. He's quite small but he swam on a relay team. He actually sprained his arm a week before the tri but because he was on a team and didn't want to let his teammates down so he still swam."
Pawluk won a one-week stay at Camp Summit's blast camp valued at $600, which includes activities like canoeing, mountain biking and climbing because she's demonstrated excellent academic and athletic abilities.
In addition to being a high academic achiever, Pawluk participates in sports and volunteers her time as a leader with Big Sisters.
"Pretty much everything and anything you can do, she does," said Gilbert.
For the most part, dozens of sweaty smiling faces showed participants were happy about their performances.
Scott MacDonald, 14, said he was glad he made up time on his bike and run because he's not a strong swimmer.
Young Elias Carmichael said he too was happy with his performance.
"I was running and then a little bit of walking," said the tired youngster.
When asked if he'd like to do the youth triathlon again, the first-time competitor lit up.
"Yeah, it's fun," he said.
Twelve-year-old Maggie Acorn said she was proud she managed to pass two racers when she was cycling for her relay team.
With a smile on his face and a gold participation medal clutched in his hand, six-year-old Ryan Hunter said he practiced extensively for the triathlon.
Although organizers haven't received much feedback from the event yet, Gilbert recognized they were short on event day volunteers.
"I think we always have the odd glitch we were a little short of volunteers."
In the coming years, she'd like to see a few more people step up to lend a hand with event sponsorship and prizes.
"The only thing we're going to try and expand next year is our core organizing committee. [We'll] try to get a few more people involved at the central level."
Even though there seems to be a demand to increase the number of participants in the youth triathlon, Gilbert said the event wouldn't likely expand. She said safety and duration of the race are the two major impediments to creating a larger race.
"One of our focuses is to try and get everyone out to take their mothers out from brunch on Mother's Day. So if we could be wrapped up by 1 p.m. that's sort of ideal."
Full results of the 10th annual 麻豆社国产Youth Triathlon can be found online at squamishyouthtri.ca.
