Jake Young cruises through the transition area during the triathlon Saturday. After biking around Centennial Park, Young was ready for the final portion — running. He took third in his age group overall. Pilot Photo/Maggie Nixon

By Angel Perkins
Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — The KidsBIGRed3 triathlon was another success during this, its fifth year in existence, with participants from not only Plymouth and surrounding areas but from Michigan, and as far as Moundsville, W.Va. gathering at Centennial Park.

Created and directed by Gina Young, of Plymouth, the idea was to get children interested in getting healthy and having fun.

In years past, as many as 130 participants took part in the 25 meter swim, 1.5 mile bike ride and .5 mile run. This year, the number of children (split into age groups 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10 and 11 and 12) was considerably smaller, which organizer Lisa Pozcik of the UPS Store says is disappointing. “We only have 75 this year.”

When asked why she thought the number of racers was so much lower than in years past she said, “Maybe they think it’s harder than what it is. We just want the kids to get out and get moving. The hardest part is getting the participants.”

Young agreed. “Everyone is busy with other activities right now and in past years, it’s been the triathlon only,” she explained. “This year there are baseball games and there are travel leagues for the smaller kids. There are also a lot of people taking vacations right now.”

“We want to thank all the sponsors because without them, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Pozcik. “For us, the cost is the same with two or 200 kids.”

Young, who is assisted in running the event by friends and family, also credits the many additional volunteers, the assistance of the Plymouth Parks, Fire and Police Departments, as well as the Plymouth High School baseball, basketball and football team members who take time from their busy schedules to be a part of the event and make it the success it is. Even though the players get no extra credit, and it is not mandatory for them to be involved, many are return volunteers, like Eric Day of the Plymouth High School basketball team who says he has volunteered to root the children on during the race for four years.

“I enjoy it … seeing the kids succeed,” he said. “We cheer them on and make sure they (the youngest runners) don’t run out into the street.”

The event, which promoted families to get together at the park for fun in the sun, was one that Young said she believed was beneficial for the children. “It builds their self esteem,” she said.
A point in case that young athlete Jack Barron agreed with.

“This is my fourth year (involved in the competition),” the 11-year-old said before the race. “It builds your confidence, makes you stronger and makes you want to do more. You could go on to be in track. You could be like Lance Arm-strong or Michael Phelps.”

When asked what parts of the event challenge him or those in which he is best at Barron said, “My dad (John) is a track coach for the high school, so he helps me with my running and that’s what I’m good at. The swimming is one thing I need to practice more.”

Unfortunately, though the triathlon added a “13 through adult” group, no one signed up for the older division offered this year. “We had wanted to make it available for adults as well as the older kids that have been doing this since we first started,” Young said.

Multitudes or not, the triathlon again went on without a hitch: No major injuries, cooler temperatures than those in the past and many young smiling faces, even after their physical exertion and regardless of their final placement rankings.

Age division results
5 - 6
1 Donny Poczik
2 Austin Tremaine
3 Brice Ziegler
4 Ella Hissong
5 Karzdon McCrammer
6 Owen Bockman
7 Cole Barden
8 Evan Holcomb
9 Caden Stout
10 Logan Pittman
11 Andy Young
7 - 8
1 Timothy Tremaine
2 Austin Berger
3 Zephan Nixon
4 Gabe Hissong
5 Brady Hissong
6 Annalise Barden
7 Kacee Peters
8 Grant Houin
9 Madeline Magee
10 Kylie Dehner
11 Michael Stauffer
12 Emily Lafree
13 Kelsey Owen
14 Mary Kate Flynn
9 - 10
1 Ean Pugh
2 Scott Hodson
3 Jake Young
4 Anna Bockman
5 Madison Wood
6 Lane McDonald
8 Tommy Holloway
9 Benji Nixon
10 Emily Hoffer
11 Daniel Stauffer
12 Kaylie Barden
13 Luke Houin
14 Nate Lafree
15 Aidan Burkins
16 Trevor Danielson
11-12
1 Conner Wood
2 Eli Pugh
3 Katie Hodson
4 Jack Barron
5 Jacob Lafree
7 Benjamin Perkins