By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — Early Sunday morning athletes plunged into Peddie Lake kicking off Hightstown’s biggest sporting event and a major fundraising event during the annual Hightstown Triathlon.
”Both the kids race and the adult race had a healthy turnout despite the fact that we had to change the date this year,” said Patrick Duncan, co-race director in an email on Monday. “I think that speaks to Hightstown’s charm and convenient location. It was a 12 hour day and the only complaints we heard were from cars that were rerouted on account of the event.”
The race is typically held the third weekend in September.
”Ironman 70.3 will be having a race on our usual weekend,” said Beth Bright, co-race director in an email on Tuesday. “There will be a large demand for public safety and volunteer for that race. We would not have adequate coverage for our race being that they are both in Mercer County.”
She also noted that she was “pleased” with the turnout.
”I am so pleased at the support for both races even with the date change,” Bright said. “Many returning competitors and a lot of new faces too.”
The Hightstown Triathlon event is listed as a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.
”The race is really a good way to showcase the Borough,” Duncan said. “Participants run through all four parks, swim in the lake, and run through the downtown. Spectators patronize the local businesses while the race is in progress. Best of all, everyone gets to see the community spirit that is at the heart of Hightstown.”
Duncan noted that the lake is tested regularly and the water quality is “excellent.”
The top three male finishers of the triathlon were Iain Alexandridis, of Princeton; William Miller, of West Long Branch; and John Hirsch of New York, NY. The top three female finishers of the triathlon were Carrie Merritt, of Marmora; Lisa Rumer, of Marmora; and Christie Patla, of Aberdeen.
”It felt good,” Alexandridis said after he just crossed the finish line and competing in the race for the first time. “I was never able to do it because I was in school. The course was good. Barely any traffic and that’s huge on race courses. Easily signed. It was nice. The volunteers were great. It was a lot of fun. I was just happy to be out there.”
Merritt agreed it was “fun” and also competed for her first time.
”This is such a fun race,” she said. “I am training for the Princeton Ironman 70.3 in September so it was a neat training day. It’s nice and everybody is so friendly in transition. It was a nice, small, hometown race without stress. It was a beautiful course. I am just glad to be here.”
The oldest male competitor was Edward Wright, 68 and the oldest female was Karen Hodell, 72, of Hightstown.
The top three male finishers of the kid’s triathlon in the ages six to ten category, listed from first place to third place, were: Jack Cahill, 10, of Blue Bell, PA; Julian George, 10, of Roselle Park; and Magnus Selvig, 7, of Hightstown. The top three female finishers were: Taylor Meisner, 9, of New Hope, PA; Yohanna Jones, 10, of Monroe Township; and Megan Szot, 9, of Chatham.
The top three male finishers of the kid’s triathlon in the ages eleven to fourteen category, listed from first place to third place, were: Vladimir Pishnenko, 14, of Doylestown, PA; Joey Cahill, 14, of Blue Bell, PA; and Colin Cahill, 12, of Blue Bell, PA. The top three female finishers were: Alina Chant, 13, of West Orange; Kaitlyn Sauickie, 13, of Jackson; and Hannah Devine, 12, of Hamilton.
The adult course included a quarter mile swim followed by a 15.3 bike and ended with a 5K run.
Bright noted that the kid’s race run course was changed “to be more spectator friendly and to clear congestion on the course for competitors.”
For the Kenny family of East Windsor, it was a family event. Denis Kenny participated in the adult race in the morning followed by two of his children participating in the afternoon race.
”This is my third time doing the adult triathlon,” Denis Kenny said. “I love that it’s a great family event and anybody can participate, all sizes and ages, from teenagers to 70 year olds. It’s very inspiring and way to bring the community out to cheer each other on. If you have never seen the kids triathlon than you should come down to watch, seeing seven to eight year olds run the course, it’s the best.”
”This was my fifth and final year doing the kids triathlon before I move on to the adult one next year,” said Maya Kenny, 14, of East Windsor. “It’s been so much fun cheering on all my friends and family over the years, I have such great memories of.”
Her brother also participated.
”This is my third year doing the triathlon, but my first year doing the double loops for older kids,” said Spence Kenny, 11, of East Windsor. “My favorite part of the tri is when you run to the finish line with everybody cheering you on.”
”The triathlon is a major fundraiser for the Parks and Recreation Committee,” Duncan said. “The money raised supports the parks and recreation opportunities in the Borough. The dock on Peddie Lake, the Gazebo in Association Park, new playground equipment in Association and Dawes Parks, the Farmers’ Market, the summer concert series are all examples of what the Triathlon has funded over the years.”
He noted the important role the local volunteers played from the residents, fire department, first aid squad, local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and more.
”This event relies heavily on local volunteers,” he said. “Once again, the fire department sent out its volunteer fire police to control traffic and keep the roads safe. The first aid squad had ambulances on call in the event of an emergency. Local scouts, both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, manned the water stop and a slew of Hightstownians showed up to serve as course marshals, assist in the transition area, perform set-up and take down, etc.”
Approximately 75 volunteers assisted between the two races, according to officials.
”That is a conservative estimate,” Bright said. “There are so many people who contribute their time for months before race day and there were at least that many between course volunteers and county fire-police on race day.”
Duncan also noted that they rely on the help of paid professionals such as the lifeguards and the police “both were essential to ensuring a safe event.”
He noted that the only injuries they had were “very minor.”
Anna Chavez of Hightstown was one of the volunteers helping out and busy ringing her cow bell at the finish line and along transition areas to help encourage the athletes throughout the day.
”I love being here,” Chavez said. “I love doing this for the town. It’s a great event. It’s inspiring.”
For Bright, the highlight of the adult race is seeing the competitors cross the finish line and the “big smiles.”
”I love the energy of the pre-race meeting and then the proud smiles at the finish line,” she said in reference to the kid’s race.
For Duncan, the highlight is seeing the faces of many of the first time finishers.
”There’s a lot of first timers in our race and seeing their faces at the finish is the best,” he said, adding this is especially true for the kids.
Bright reflected on how the triathlon attracts a variety of people.
”It has three sports and so you don’t have to just focus on one thing,” she said. “There is variety in training. You train in three different disciplines and there is a balance built in.”
Duncan also added the “unique location.”
”I think it’s a pretty unique location for a Tri with an open water swim in the middle of town,” he said. “We also have a reputation as being a beginner friendly event.”
During the race, a couple got engaged. As Caroline Lewis of Woodstown crossed the finish line she was greeted by her boyfriend, Chris Little, of Franklinville, who was holding a sign saying “Marry Me?”
”I was shocked,” Lewis said. “I definitely wasn’t expecting it and it’s very hard to pull surprises on me.”
The couple has been dating for the past two years.
