Crossing the Finish Line
Bay-area dads had a Father’s Day blast watching their kids dive into the 2014 Truxtun Park Triathlon in Annapolis. My dad was blown away as his two daughters crossed the finish line after a 100-meter swim at the park pool, five-mile bike ride and one-mile run along the Silopanna Trail and halfway around the track at Bates Middle School.
I earned second place in the 10 and under age group. My seven-year-old sister Alders, just off training wheels, also did well for a first-time racer, finishing seventh in her age group.
A couple hundred kids under 14 competed in the annual Annapolis event of the Maryland Youth Triathlon Series. Kids from the Mini Cow Tri Club of Mount Airy, the Tolly Point Eagles and the Annapolis Triathlon Club competed along with unaffiliated young athletes.
Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides gave race day greetings to the athletes: “It’s hard to get up at 7:30 in the morning,” he said.
Hillary Yager, the coach of the Naval Academy Aquatic Club, was swim coordinator, making sure that the event got off to a prompt 7:30am start.
By 8am, finish line coordinator Jen Jennings rewarded all athletes with a medal and a bottle of water. Dads and loving supporters gave hugs.