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HIGHTSTOWN: Triathletes race through borough in fifth annual adult competition

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — Triathletes once again returned to the borough in what has become an annual September competition.
   On Sept. 23, well before the sun came up, more than 200 participants met in the municipal parking lot in anticipation of the race’s official start time of 7 a.m.
   This year’s course consisted of a quarter mile swim, a 14-mile bike course and a 5-K run, which is 3.1 miles. However, on the morning of the race, the run portion of the Hightstown Triathlon was shortened by .7-mile to eliminate a wooded area that had become slippery from rainfall the night before.
   The swim, which took place in Peddie Lake, was a highlight for many athletes.
   ”I was worried that the swim might have been cancelled again because I was helping with the water testing and up to a few days prior, the quality was marginal,” said competitor Tom Eng of Robbinsville. “(And) an excess rain could have made it unsafe Sunday morning, but we got lucky and things worked out.”
   Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed provides water testing for the lake.
   Mr. Eng noted that last year’s swim portion of the Hightstown Triathlon was cancelled at the last minute because Hurricane Irene created too much turbidity making it unsafe for rescue personnel.
   Mr. Eng took over managing Friday night swim practices in Peddie Lake this summer along with two other volunteers, Kurt D’Andrea and Jenean D’Andrea.
   ”Next year, I hope to reorganize the swim practices at the lake starting late spring (to) early summer to give everyone more opportunities to practice open water swimming nearby. There aren’t many choices in Central New Jersey,” Mr. Eng said.
   This was Mr. Eng’s third year competing in the Hightstown Triathlon and his twelfth triathlon since he started competing three years ago.
   ”It’s amazing how three years ago I could barely swim 50 meters in a pool and now I am involved with open water swims and recently participated in a long distance swim race in the Hudson River. I will keep doing five to six triathlons a year including the Hightstown Triathlon. I consider Peddie Lake my home base for swimming now,” Mr. Eng said.
   This was East Windsor resident Cori Kenny’s second year participating in the Hightstown Triathlon with her husband, Denis.
   ”Not only has the participation grown, but the crowds who come to cheer on everybody has increased and is so inspiring,” Ms. Kenny said.
   The Kenny couple also had two children, daughter Maya, 12, and son Spencer, 9, participate in the Kids Triathlon, which took place after the adult race this past Sunday.
   ”I love how our entire family competes in the Hightstown Triathlon,” Ms. Kenny said. “My little one, Cameron, who is 5, can not wait till she can participate at age 7. It’s a great family event and gives us a healthy goal to work on for the entire summer.”
   For East Windsor resident Siri Heinrichs, this was her first year competing in the Hightstown Triathlon.
   ”I thought the Triathlon was inspiring, especially the amount of local people trying it for the first time,” Ms. Heinrichs said.
   She competed on a relay team in which she ran, while two other competitors on her team swam and cycled.
   ”I would compete again. I am not a strong enough swimmer to try that part, but I would definitely be on a relay team again,” Ms. Heinrichs said.
   According to Pat Duncan, chairman of Hightstown’s Parks and Recreation Commission, participation was up this year with 207 people finishing the adult race.
   Mr. Duncan also estimated that with family, friends and community members there were approximately 150 spectators downtown and along the course.
   ”(It) has a great down-home vibe, not too intimidating for newbies, but serious enough to satisfy veteran racers. The downtown swim, the borough-wide run course, the scenic bike course and the friendly volunteers make it a showcase event for Hightstown,” Mr. Duncan said.
   Mr. Duncan indicated that the Hightstown Triathlon raised approximately $15,000 this year.
   ”The money is vital to maintaining equipment, facilities and recreation programs in Hightstown’s four public parks,” he said, noting that this year’s event proceeds funded the revitalization of Association Park including the planned gazebo-stage and new playground equipment that will be installed this fall. “The funds also support many community projects including youth recreation programs, the summer Friday Night Farmers Market and the Concerts in the Parks series.”
   ”I am real proud of the folks who put the whole day together,” said Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson. “It’s a lot of work every year. By the turnout and the number of participants, it was well publicized, well organized — it’s great.”