Minutes after finishing eight laps in the swimming pool, McKenzie Scott tackled a four–mile bike ride It might be hard to get the kids out of bed on a school morning, but about 125 youth bounced out of bed Saturday morning for the 7 am Kids’ Triathlon at Lake Carolina in northeast Columbia.

As race–time approached, parents and children double–checked bikes, helmets, and other racing gear. Race emcee Frank Cannon worked to calm pre–race jitters with some music and line dancing. After doing a little Cha-cha and YMCA , kids were warmed up and ready to roll.

Swimming was part of the Lake Carolina Kids Triathlon. Running and biking were the other two parts. The race got off to a roaring start with the long course event for ages 11 to 14. This group swam 200 meters, biked four miles, and ran one mile.

Ages seven to ten tackled the short course event. They swam 100 meters, biked two miles, and ran a half-mile.

The Mity Mite participants, ages four to six, amazed spectators as they swam ten meters, biked a half–mile, and ran 100 meters. When the young athletes crossed the finish line, their determined expressions were replaced by ecstatic grins.

“This was a first–ever triathlon for about 95% of the participants,” triathlon coordinator Ron Ellis said. “We encouraged the kids to have a good time, do their best, and concentrate on finishing the course. Although,” he added, “we knew that Ben and Jerry’s ice cream was the ultimate motivation for everyone to cross the finish line.”

All participants were decorated with a triathlon medal as they crossed the finish line.

During the post–race celebration, kids savored the moment with family and friends. Oh yes! And a big scoop of ice cream. Trophies were given to first, second, and third places in the long and short courses. Last but not least, all of the Mity Mite participants proudly stepped forward to receive impressive American bald eagle trophies that were donated by Genova Karate.

The athletic event benefited Children’s Charities of the Midlands, a philanthropic organization committed to bettering the health, education, and welfare of children of SC.

Columbia Triathlon Club, The Cycle Center, Outspokin’ Bicycle Shop, Palmetto Aquatics, Strictly Running, Genova Karate, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, and many others joined forces with Lake Carolina to kick off the inaugural triathlon event.

The overwhelming success of Saturday’s event set the stage for the second annual triathlon. Many Columbia athletes are already eager to sign up!

For more information, contact Russi Potts at (803) 461-0905 or visit rpotts@lakecarolina.com.

Lake Carolina Kids Triathlon results

LAKE CAROLINA KID’S TRIATHLON

Presented By: Lake Carolina

Columbia SC 29229 9/10/05

UNOFFICIAL Results compiled by iSMBJude, Inc. DBA:www.strictlyrunning.com Phone 803/799-(iRun) 4786

Overall results swim/bike/run

Long course Kids age 11 and greater

MALE OVERALL WINNER(S)

1 JAMES ALURI A 14 27:32

2 JOHN ASELTON A 14

27:58

3 BRYCE JAMES A 13 28:40

FEMALE OVERALL WINNER(S)

1 KATIE SHOEMAKER C 12

29:14

2 REBECCA BROWN B 12

31:48

3 SARAH GUESS A 13 33:33

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 11–12

1 119 LAURA PRICE B 12

33:41

2 127 ERIN BROWN C 11

34:20

3 112 JACKY DEAN B 12

34:20

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 13–14

1 106 COURTNEY

LYBRAND A 13 34:26

MALE AGE GROUP: 11–12

1 124 ALEXANDER CRAM

C 12 29:57

2 133 BRAD HYLTON D

11 32:07

3 138 DAVID WHITAKER D

11 32:18

MALE AGE GROUP: 13–14

1 111 TANNER WANISH B

13 28:52

2 103 ALEX CRAFT A 14

29:12

3 104 ANDREW LONON A

14 29:14

OVERALL RESULTS SWIM/BIKE/RUN

Short Course KIDS AGE 10 and Under

MALE OVERALL WINNER(S)

1 KYLE TOMPKINS H 9

14:45

2 WILL HICKS F 10 15:06

3 DREW ELLIS H 9 SC

15:29

FEMALE OVERALL

WINNER(S

1 SHELBY LANIER E 10

Camden 15:49

2 JORDANNE HARPSTER E

10 Lugoff 16:22

3 KAYLI HENK G 9

Anderson 17:11

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 1–8

1 205 VICTORIA TO

AGOSTIN J 7 19:30

2 182 REESE BATES H 8

19:48

3 207 ALEXA GOLBUS J 7

19:50

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 9–10

1 170 HANNAH

WHITAKER G 9 18:23

2 147 ABBY TOLAR E 10

21:34

3 139 TAYLOR ASHBY E 10

23:15

MALE AGE GROUP: 1–8

1 224 GRANT BURDETTE

L 6 16:40

2 214 RYAN BLAND K 7

18:38

3 187 THOMAS AGOSTINI

I 8 19:19

MALE AGE GROUP: 9–10

1 150 JONATHAN BOLAND

E 10 15:34

2 155 NATHAN HENK F 10

Anderson 16:48

3 153 MICHAEL GRIMES F

10 17:05