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Mostly Cloudy Lynbrook triathlon program finishes on high note
Eight weeks of training culminates in Greis Park competition for these youngsters
Thirty-three Lynbrook middle school students accomplished something they can be proud of this summer — a triathlon.
After completing eight weeks of training, members of the Fly With the Owls Triathlon Program, raced in the real event on Aug. 16 at Greis Park. Students met on Thursday evenings from June 21 to Aug. 9 to prepare for the event. In between scheduled practices, participants were given workout plans to exercise on their own during the week. Each of the students are entering grades six through eight at North Middle School, South Middle School or Our Lady of Peace School.
Kathleen Hannan, the program’s coordinator, said the event was a complete success. To her, watching kids work hard to accomplish a challenge is the best part. “That’s when we truly feel rewarded,” she said, “by seeing the kids accomplish a goal and seeing the smiles on their faces.”
Each triathlete was given a medal and a T-shirt after they crossed the finish line. The course featured a 400-yard swim, a 5½-mile bike ride and a 1½-mile run, all of which took place at Greis Park. All of the students who started the race finished, with the top finisher posting a time of 41:42.
Fly with the Owls Inc. President Cathy Papandrew said she couldn’t pick out just one favorite part of the event, but she did enjoy the nice turnout of supporters. “When the students were arriving to the park everybody was a little jittery,” she said, “but there was so much positive energy. It was great to see all the parents and friends who came out to support the students.”
Although it didn’t matter what place the triathletes finished the race in, it was still competitive out there. “These kids definitely had their game faces on from the moment we started,” Hannan said. She added the course was very challenging, but the students went into the race with the right mindsets, which enabled them to finish in timely fashion.
Approximately 40 volunteers were on hand the day of the race to help out however the could, including handing out medals, setting up the course and holding up the finish line.
Papandrew said she was proud of each of the participants who dedicated themselves to completing the race. “They all worked tremendously hard and it showed the day of the race,” she said. “They put in the time, they put in the training and they were able to successfully cross that finish line to the best of the ability on the day of the race.”
