Submitted by Race Directors Carrie Waltner and Michelle Miller
BASS LAKE — The first annual MyTri Youth Triathlon held at Miller’s Landing Resort was an incredible success.
We hosted 104 tri-athletes, aged 5-17 years old, 78 volunteers, 300 spectators, and boasted 42 community sponsors.
Athletes began checking in at the race in the predawn hours and were ready to begin their swim just as the sun was coming up.
The atmosphere was filled with the buzz of anticipation from both parents and athletes as the first wave of swimmers marched down the Miller’s dock to start the race.
Athletes participated in either the Master’s division with a 100 yard swim, 4 mile bike and 1 mile run, or the Junior’s division with a 50 yard swim, 1.5 mile bike and 0.5 mile run.
Trained volunteers lined the 3-mile course under the management of our incredible race directors; Michelle Miller on the swim portion, Dave Cicoletti on the bike portion, Taylor Olney on the run portion, Tenaya Wave in the Transition Area, Seth Waltner in Timing, Kam Butler from Bakersfield Track Club our Timing Official, and of course Carrie Waltner our Race Director.
From late night registration on Friday, to the pre-dawn set up, and all throughout the day, each of our 78 volunteers not only participated in making the day successful, they made it really special!
We each have such wonderful images burned in our minds from this incredible day. Highlights include seeing our extraordinary Citizens on Patrol (COPs) pull our last athlete out of traffic control at the last minute to get her to the start line just in time for her race.
Swimmers counted down for the next heat to start their race while parents cheered. Transition Volunteers tied shoes and kicked kick stands while course volunteers waved kids in the right direction and cheered them on with all their hearts.
One above-and-beyond life guard swam the whole distance with an athlete while sharing with words of encouragement. We heard the constant buzz of parents and extended family so excited for their kids.
Bike Volunteers kept everyone safe as Run Volunteers ran alongside tired athletes.
One little girl ran with her stuffed animal and another completed the 1.5 mile bike with training wheels.
All day long kids looked at their body marked with race numbers like a badge of honor (it was!). The memories are nearly endless.
By far, best moments of the day were seeing the smiles on ALL the kids faces; those smiles were how we measured our success for the inaugural MyTri 2013!
Through the generosity of our sponsors and community we were able to cover the costs of coordinating the MyTri as well as make a substantial donation to North Fork School’s Athletic Department.
Race announcer Jarrod Lyman, aka Director of PR/Communications for Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, said it was amazing.
“Michelle and Carrie did a great job organizing, and the kids were just beyond impressive. To get that many kids who want to get up that early on a Saturday and go out and do a triathlon rather than watch TV was inspiring. I can’t wait to see next year’s turnout.”
Special thanks to Roger Robinette for photographs
For more photographs (over 200 of them!) check out Millers Landing’s Facebook page.
To stay in tune with MyTri Bass Lake visit their website.
Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
