Several Jersey Shore Swimmers Compete in Area Triathlon

Jersey Shore area athletes competed in the 5th Annual Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority Sprint Triathlon against 200 kids. Jersey Shore participants front row from left, Ezra Miller, Sadie Griswold(S), Jordan O’Connor(S), and Celesta Shemory; middle row;, Gabbie Moore(S), Emma Butzler(S), Olivia Edler(S), and Kendra White(S); back row, Ezekiel Miller, Jacob Butzler(S), Elijah Shemory, Austin White, and Evan Moore(S). (S) symbolizes Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team members.

Several Jersey Shore swimmers traveled down to Lewisburg to try their hand in the 5th Annual Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority Sprint Triathlon. It was a chance for them to take their swimming skills and use them in an event that combines water, bikes, and running. TO READ MORE ABOUT THE LARA SPRINT TRIATHLON AND VIEW OTHER PHOTOS, THEN CLICK ON "READ MORE" BELOW. The evening started with the kids getting registered. Race t-shirts were colored coded by age group and had to be worn during the bike and run portion of the event. The 7-9ers wore red, 10-12ers wore green and 13-14ers wore blue. Bib numbers had to be attached to the back of the t-shirt. After receiving their t-shirt and bib, each child had their arms and legs marked with their race number and age.

Note Sadie Griswold’s entry number on her arm. She is transitioning out of the swimming event into the bike. Click photo to enlarge.

After dropping off their bike in the pool parking lot, they then proceeded to the pool area where the timer, Score-This, Inc, placed a timing chip on each child’s left ankle.

Note the yellow strap (timing chip) on Jordon O’Connor’s ankle. She is transitioning, with the help of her dad, into the biking leg of the triathlon.Click photo to enlarge.

A mandatory meeting was held in the grassy area near the deep end for triathlete participant’s final instructions.

After final instructions, the event started with the swimming leg first. The 7-9 year olds swam 2 lengths widthwise in the shallow end approximately 30 yards, the 10-12 year olds swam 2 lengths - 50 yard, and the 13-14 year olds swam 4 lengths - 100 yards.

Here, the 7-9 year olds start off the event with their swimming leg.Click photo to enlarge.

After swimming, the kids exited the pool and began the transition to the biking stage. This required slipping on shoes, shirts, and shorts as quickly as possible Then it was off to the bike races.

Emma Butzler, with the help of mom, transition out of swimming into biking.

The 7-9 year olds biked approximately 1 mile, the 10-12 year olds biked 1.75 miles, and the 13-14 year olds course was 2.5 miles.

Evan Moore gets ready to tackle the 2.5 mile biking course.Click photo to enlarge.

After the loop around the Lewisburg’s Industrial Park, it was time to dismount and start the final stage of the triathlon; the run. The 7-9 year olds ran approximately .3 miles, the 10-12 year finished off with a .5 mile run, and the 13-14 year ran .75 miles.

Gabbie Moore (left) and Kendra White (right) push through the fatigue as they run toward the finish line.Click photo to enlarge.

Jacob Butzler (left) and Olivia Edler(right) run across the finish line after completing the final leg of the triathlon. Click photo to enlarge.

Photo finish photos are taken by Mike Rodo and others can be viewed at his business web site Rodo Video. Other photos of the triathlon can be viewed at the LARA Kid's Triathlon website. Finishing times and placements within age goups can be viewed here.

After the finish the kids got hydrated and then stuck around for a pool/pizza party.