2019 Republic’s Tiger-Tri draws 225 participants

The Republic Parks and Recreation Department held the 2019 Tiger Triathlon at Miller Park on Saturday, Aug. 10. About 225 people came to compete in the event.
There were three levels of competition: The Sprint, the Super Sprint, and the Doubles. The Sprint Triathlon was divided into three parts: A 300-yard swim, a 12.2 mile bicycle ride and a 5K run. The Super Sprint, designed for beginners, also had the swim, bike ride and run, but the distances were half of the Sprint’s. Those who chose to go with Double Competition completed both races. Some competitors formed teams, with each of them completing one part of the competition, but most participated individually, completing all parts of the competition by themselves.
Chris Arnold, the race director, said the event was a good way to get people up and moving.
“I think it’s a good way to get people out training; (it) sets a goal for them,” he said. “They know they’re going to do a triathlon a month from now, so then they start training for this triathlon or maybe other triathlons. And then, we also have people who are first timers who might want to do the super sprint, who … just want to get into the sport and give it a try.”
Justin Allphin, who participated in the Sprint, said he did it for both reasons of health, and as a way to support worthy causes.
“If you look at it from the selfish side, it’s great for you,” said. “(However), all of the organizations that have put this on; they’re all connected to charity. They put on events like this to get our kids motivated and get us motivated to do something a lot better than sit around at home, so it was nice to support them.”
While most of the competitors were locals, some came from out of state. One of them was Jacob Monsibais, who drove six hours from Springfield, Ill. to take part in the Double competition.
“We have good friends here that we’re visiting, and they told me that they were running this event, and it’s an event that’s put on by a wonderful organization that’s running it, so I was happy to participate,” he said, adding he had “a great time.”
In addition to the Tiger Triathlon, there was a special competition for children between the ages of 5-13 called the Tigger Triathlon. It was held at Miler Park on Friday, Aug. 9. Younger children took part in the beginner course, which consisted of a 25-yard swim, a two-thirds-of-a-mile bike ride and a .4-mile run. Older kids took part in the Challenge Course, which consisted of a 75-yard swim, a 2.6-mile-bike ride and a two-thirds of a mile run.
Participants in the triathlon received medals as they crossed the finish line. Winners received their trophies in an awards ceremony after the triathlon. The top three male and female finishers in each event were:
Sprint: Male competitors: Wesley Deckard, 1:00:10; Landon Hough, 1:00:34; Matt Myers, 1:01:37
Female competitors: Allison Deckard, 1:04:55; Alyson Green, 1:06:36; Lauren Rose Laughlin, 1:09:17
Super Sprint: Male competitors: Jackson Witte, 35:13; Nicholas Anderson, 35:33; Joel Mayer, 35:51
Female competitors: Lauren Rose Laughlin, 34:56; Mindy Witte, 38:32; Michelle Beach, 39:32
Doubles (Times shown are for Super Sprint and Sprint, respectively)
Male competitors: Joel Meyer, 35:52 and 1:08:28; Nicholas Anderson, 35:33 and 1:10:49; Brent Rush, 37:43 and 1:10:57.
Female Competitors: Lauren Rose Laughlin, 34:57 and 1:09:18; Michelle Beach, 39:33 and 1:21:10; Betsy Guyer, 41:28 and 1:20:21.
Youth Beginner Tri: Boys: Griffin D Angelo, 7:30; Mereck Putt, 7:41; Ryan Bedore, 7:42
Girls: Jalynn Gifford, 8:05; Aubree Tinsley, 8:14; Madeline O Todle, 8:44
Youth Challenge Tri: Boys: Jackson Witte, 15:53; Ethan Bedore, 16:40; Easton Gifford, 16:55
Girls: Leah Drummonds, 19:09; Ava Bedore, 19:30; Angelina Cottone, 19:36

Full competition results can be found online at www.ultramaxsports.com.