The sunlight was gone, replaced by heavy clouds, intruding breeze and unseasonable chilly weather, but race co-director Mary Nguyen had no reason to believe this colorless morning could damper Saturday's Splash 2 Dash Youth Triathlon.
"They're kids. They've got plenty of energy," she thought.
Point taken. Hours later, Nguyen and several hundred spectators watched South Valley children go swimming, biking and running by at the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center with no sad faces in sight.
Hosted by Morgan Hill's Centennial Recreation Center, the coed spectacle of fun and fitness was an even bigger success in its second year. The event, which started and ended at the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center, drew more than 130 participants, plus countless volunteers and local vendors who supplied refreshments.
"We weren't concerned at all with the turnout. We had more people here than last year when it was sunny," said Nguyen, the CRC's health and fitness director. "It's definitely our funnest event to plan - if that's a word."
Nguyen, who headed organizing the race with co-director Petra Rainbolt, said the CRC began planning in November.
"We advertised ... and went to schools. We talked to every kid that visited the rec," CRC associate executive director Keri Russell said. "We take pride in doing this. We love to see all these kids out here having a good time.
"The look on the kids faces when they finish ... that's the most rewarding part."
The Aquatics Center was mobbed during walk-in registration, which began nearly two hours before the race started. People showed up as early as 6 a.m.
"It was a zoo this morning," said Lisa Rick, who supervised the swimming. "The kids didn't mind it was cold since the pool was heated. They jumped right in."
Many contestants, like sisters Anna and Sarah Deakin, competed last year. Anna, 9, placed fifth in her division in 22 minutes, 58 seconds, and Sarah, 7, finished 16th (21:38).
"I did good. It helped having so many people here encouraging us," Anna said.
The Deakin's father, Matt, sees the Splash 2 Dash only getting bigger.
"It's unique because the kids can compete with all of their friends with everyone watching them and cheering on. A lot of kids like it and want to do it again," the 34-year-old Morgan Hill resident said. "The kids are competitive, but I think they just like being out here with each other and doing something fun."
The race was broken up into four age groups with varying distances. The 11- and 12-year-olds swam 150 yards, biked five miles and ran a mile; the 9- and 10-year-olds did 100 yards, 3 3/4 miles, and three-quarters of a mile; the 7- and 8-year-olds covered 50 yards, 2 1/2 miles and a half mile; and the 5- and 6-year-olds did 25, 1 1/4 and a quarter mile.
"I was pretty tired," 7-year-old Luke Malech, also of Morgan Hill, said. "I had a lot of fun."
Malech's father, Steve, 50, likes the Splash 2 Dash because it's organized like "big triathlons," with a wide-open course and transition stages between events. Steve is an Alcatraz Sharkfest veteran.
"The kids get the feel of competing like adults," he said.
Many of them looked the part, including younger members of the local triathlon team Wolfpak.
"They actually had triathlon bikes. Other kids were using training wheels," CRC cycling instructor Ryan Chamberlin said. "Some people take triathlon pretty serious around here. Bottom line is, the kids had fun."
The winners included Nolan Dozier (29:11) in the 11-12 division, Tanner Fry (19:01) in 9-10, Derien Moran (14:29) in 7-8 and Rian Hepner (10:36) in 5-6.
2009 Splash 2 Dash Youth Triathlon Results
11-12 - 1. Nolan Dozier, 29:11; 2. David Roster, 29:43; 3. Melinda Coreas, 33:48; 4. Miles Zimmer, 34:47; 5. Kamron Dehpanah, 34:54; 6. Brie Roman, 35:51; 7. Nathan Yu, 35:58; 8. Madeline Roster, 36:27; 9. Ryan Orlando, 36:35; 10. Esstephanie Wreas, 36:40; 11. Nick Ulery, 36:35; 12. Marin Heacock, 37:54; T13. Alexander Van Rhijn, 39:00; T13. Marissa Van Rhijn, 39:00; 15. Tanji Chavez, 40:45; 16. Katie Kleis, 41:20; 17. Grant Morley, 41:53; 18. Austin Fiack, 42:58; 19. Max Peacock, 45:18; 20. Ryan Huynh, 45:19; T21. Erin Hepner; T21. Joe Thompson.
Scott Adams Scott Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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