More than 40 try NMITF tri

More than 40 kids of all ages swam, biked, and ran in Marpi on Saturday when the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation hosted the latest event of its Kids Tryathlon Series.

The mass of mini multisport racers competed on bicycles, tricycles, and some with training wheels, but all agreed that they had a good time. Eight-year-old Emily Jones said that she enjoyed racing in her first triathlon, but that it wasn’t easy.

“It was great, but it was really hard working because I got side aches during the run,” she said.

The youngster from Saipan International School said that she will keep her medal forever, but for now will put it in her room. She may also keep forever the memory of pitching in to help her older sister Shane.

After finishing her round on the course, Emily helped her sister Shane finish the race by joining her on the run course. Shane sustained some scrapes and scratches when she had a nasty fall just a couple of meters from the second transition. After receiving some first aid and TLC from her parents, the trooper rallied her courage, got out of her parent’s SUV, and took off running north with Emily.

The sisters weren’t the only big story from the Jones household, as Michael Jones was the fastest of the 5-and-under division for the boys.

As with all of the events of the Kids Tryathlon Series, the times and results were not the focus of the three-sport fray, as organizers aimed to keep the future of the Commonwealth on the path of the healthy.

It was hard to convince the kids that their place in the standings didn’t matter, as the youngest to the oldest gave their best efforts from the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool to the road ride and run.

Kenyon Schultz was in a league of his own as he was the first to finish the course amidst a competitive 6-9 year-old division with a time of 14:25. Fifteen seconds later, Taylor Knecht did the same for the girls when she crossed the dotted line to the applause of friends and fans at 14:40.

The action was just as intense among the 8-9 year-olds as Andrew Johnson completed the circuit in 15:07 for the boys, and first-timer Adele Hudkins took the tape at 24:55.

The older kids provided plenty of excitement under the sun as Clay McCullough-Stearns was untouchable among the 10-11 year-old division to take first place with a time of 21:02. Up and coming swimmer Ashley Northern posted top times as well in the girls division, as finished just a minute behind McCullough-Stearns at 22:08.

The elder statesmen of the next generation welcomed a familiar face to the race as Tyler Sinclair took first for the 12-13 year-old division and first overall finisher when he crossed the line at the 20:55 mark.

Not to be outdone, Emma McCullough-Stearns zipped along the course for the girls to finish at 22:03.

According to race coordinator Sue Knecht, this weekend’s event will be the first of a four-part point series which will culminate with the championship event—the TagaKids.

“Kids can still earn points for doing teams and DNF’s. As long as they try some portion, they will get a point. Also, bonus points at the end of the season for kids who have participated in all four races,” she said.

Awards will be distributed to all of the top male and female finishers in each age division at the conclusion of the series. For more information about the Kids Tryathlon Series, contact Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.