The conditions were perfect for the Grand Finale Junior Triathlon at Cramer’s Park Sunday. The sky was clear and the ocean calm when the first group of five to seven-year-olds dashed into the water at the start of the day.
Parents and volunteers cheered on the tiny athletes as they splashed through their 25-meter swim, then scrambled up the beach to their bikes.
One racer, Angelisa Adams, took to the road with a pair of training wheels.
“The first thing she asked me is, “Do I have the little wheels on the back Mommy?’” said her mother, Solangel Adams. “And I said yes, so she was okay. She can’t ride without the training wheels yet.”
Angelisa’s 11-year-old brother, Michael, jogged along beside her through her half-mile bike ride and quarter-mile run, coaching her all the way to the finish line.
After the race, he said he’d been training her at home, teaching her to swim and running with her. Well, kind of.
“She likes to be chased,” he said. “I like to chase her.”
Angelisa, who ran the race in a heart-print bathing suit and sparkly pink shoes, finished near the back of the pack, but Solangel said her effort was great.
“I’m very proud. She finished it. It’s a good start,” she said.
The event was hosted by the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation, which works to popularize the sport in the territory, especially amongst kids. This was the final event of their six-race “Kids Tri VI” series.
Children competed in four different age groups, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11, and 12-15, with the length of the course increasing as the kids get older.
Thirteen-year-old Adriel Sanes delivered a dominant performance in the final race, finishing his 200-meter swim, 3-mile bike ride, and mile run in just 26:04.
During the medal ceremony, the VITF surprised him with a special award, the Medal of Inspiration.
“Not only has he attended all of the junior races this season and several adult races, Adriel has been very humble about his accomplishments,” said race organizer Theresa Harper. “He not only inspires smaller kids with his great work ethics in school and his athletic talents on the field, but adults look at Adriel as a polite, well-rounded, super kid.”
Harper said the Kids Tri VI series would begin again this October. For more information visit: vitf.org.
Results:
5-6-year-old boys
1. Odin Andrews 08:54
2. Joe Croney 10:32
3. Kaeden Gleason 10:41
5-6-year-old girls
1. Angelisa Adams 17:06
2. Kathryn Garren 18:58
7-8-year-old boys
1. Mikey Dizon-Bumann 07:06
2. Rockwell Elser 08:37
3. Stefan Moorman 09:34
7-8-year-old girls
1. Charlotte Halk 08:52
2. Aislin McStay 09:04
3. Erin Andrews 09:41
9-11-year-old boys
1. Wilson Reynolds 13:56
2. Antonio Galiber 14:58
3. Dominic Pugliese 15:53
9-11-year-old girls
1. Melinda Elser 19:21
2. Shanice Muller 19:52
12-15-year-old boys
1. Adriel Sanes 26:04
2. Shashwat Acharya 41:59
12-15-year-old girls
1. Sophie Dean 37:14
