Republic triathlons draw competitors

Hundreds abandon lazy Saturday for fast moving fitness
 
The Republic Parks and Recreation Department held its 15th annual Tiger Triathlon on Saturday, July 31, at Miller Park. More than 200 people took part in the event, which was divided into two competitions: The Sprint and the Super Sprint. Competitors who took part in the Sprint swam 150 yards, rode 6.1 miles on a bike and ran a mile-and-a-half. Those who chose to complete the Super Sprint went twice the distance with a 300-yard swim, a 12.2-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. Eighteen extra-hardy souls chose the Double, which combined the Sprint and the Super Sprint.
While most of the Tiger Tri participants were from the area, some traveled a distance to participate.
Ishvara Om, of Jefferson City, actually stopped off to take part in the triathlon with her family on their way home from a vacation in Gulf Shores, Ala. She described participating in triathlons as a “new-found passion” for her and her family.
“I did the first one in Covid year by myself, kind of remotely,” she said. “We did probably two or three of those, and this year, this is the third one that we’ve done, and it’s turned into kind of this growing passion. I think we started it because we were tired of being cooped up inside during quarantine.”
Om also said she doubted that she won any awards during the triathlon, but she actually took second place in her division.
Also taking part in the triathlon was Jason Porter. Porter said he took part in the Sprint because “my friends talked me into it,” but also because he wanted the challenge. Overall, Porter said, he had a wonderful time.
“It was great,” he said. “I really enjoyed the opportunity not to drown, and the opportunity to really excel at the bike and then to run the course here, too.”
Many of the participants went to great lengths to prepare for the Tiger Tri. Both Om and Porter said they regularly went running, rode their bikes and went swimming to get themselves in condition. Om said she also had one extra aspect to her training.
“There’s actually a fourth, unspoken discipline in triathlon, which is nutrition,” she said. “See, you have to practice really excellent nutrition, because you put your body through a lot.”
Tigger Tri a triathlon for young athletes
In addition to the Tiger Tri, Republic Parks and Rec held the Tigger Tri on Friday, July 30. A modified event for younger competitors, it was open to children between the ages of 5 to 13. There was a beginner’s course for the younger participants, which included a 25-yard swim, a two-thirds-of a mile bike ride and a run which was just under a half-mile. Older participants got to take part in the Challenge Course, which included a 75-yard swim, a 2.6-mile bike ride and a two-thirds-of-a-mile run. Children ages 5 to 6 who took part in the Tigger Tri were required to go through the beginner’s course, while those ages 11 to 13 had to go through the Challenge Course. Participants ages 7 to 10 could choose either.
Ainsley Forhetz, 9, who took part in the Challenge Course, said she took part because she enjoys the competition.
“I love doing triathlons, and it’s fun,” she said. It was her third time taking part in the Tigger Tri.
For Lincoln Pfannenstiel, 11, it was his second time taking part in the Tigger Tri. He said he appreciated the opportunity to test himself.
“I’m just here to improve and get better,” he said. “I just like how they’re doing this to give everyone a chance to make themselves better.”
Both Ainsley and Lincoln said they would return for next year’s Tigger Tri, and would take part in the adult competition when they were old enough.
Complete results for all competitors are available at the Republic Tiger Tri website at www.republictri.com.