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| The winner of the elite sprint race seen exiting above won the elite event. Great crowd. Kids loved it. |
By Terrance Gavan
Two young girls, in rain gear, holding up a cardboard sign that read “Go Grandpa” formed a poignant picture in Stanhope last Saturday morning.
The two young girls, Ashley and Kylie Newman, were clearly a little overwhelmed at the sheer numbers of triathlon riders, gear-grinding by their perch. They stood in the rain with their rapidly deteriorating cardboard sign, patiently waiting with their parents for granddad to come flying by on his bike.
They barely had time to yell and wave as grandpa, just out of the water, made the turn to the open road.
They looked up at their parents as if to say: “Is that it? Really? Mom. Dad? We’re standing in the rain for this? A half second, a whirr, and a blur?”
Actually once they finally realized that it was indeed granddad flying into the distance we got a smile.
And of course that epitomizes the Annual Stanhope Firefighters’ Triathlon, a little idea hatched by volunteer firefighter – and erstwhile Sir Sam’s ski patroller – George Sharp some years ago.
It has grown over the last couple of years from off-off Broadway to center stage at the Roxy.
All because of that special blend.
Truly a bevy of fun. A singular event that has come to epitomize the Highlands’ spirit.
It’s actually not one, not two, but three triathlons commingled in one bright, colorful, spandex and cotton blend package.
The Kid size race incorporates a short route and safety first.
The Feet Wet triathlon is for amateurs, older kids and those looking for a doable challenge.
The Sprint is the competitive race for elite, minor elite and the wannabe elite tri-athletes.
Sharp says this year’s race dropped a little short in comparison to last year’s race.
This year the race welcomed 190 racers to the three categories. Last year Sharp recalls they had an almost record 250 racers.
Still highly successful considering that the early morning rain was accompanied by a few rumbling thunderheads but luckily no lightening.
Sharp figures that some of that downturn in numbers may have been attributable to weather. Also this week’s triathlon was put back a week so as not to conflict with last weekend’s Minden 150 cycling event.
Still and all Sharp was very happy with the work of all the participants and especially chuffed about the hard work of all his firefighter volunteers and the other volunteers from the area.
“We had a great time, it’s a lot of work but well worth it,” says Sharp. “For sure everyone had a good time and I think I had 20 emails in my inbox thanking me for the event.”
Duncan Andrews from Midland captured the Get Your Feet Wet event with local tri-athletes Karen Wood, Abbey McRae, and Kevin Penney all finishing top-15.
Lindsay’s Tomas Cossarin placed first in the Kids’ Size event. Betty and Charlotte Paton, along with Jillian Sharp finished strong in the Kids circuit.
Thornton’s Rhett Wanika captured the elite sprint category. He was first out of the water and never looked back. Locals Brent Armstrong and Blake Paton finished seventh and eighth respectively. For Paton it was his first race after recovering from a minor injury that has sidelined him for the bulk of the triathlon season.
“I’m here to support the girls mostly,” chuckled Paton. The girls of course are the aforementioned Betty and Charlotte, who are moving quickly to surpass dad, as he chases old age down the long dusty road. Hal High teacher Caley Sisson was 58th with a respectable one hour 38 minute clock out.
Kudos to all local participants and a special DAP, huzzah and shout to the boys and girls at the Stanhope Fire department.
Ya’ll “got ‘er done.”
And then some.
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