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PITTSBURG —
Zachary Gilmore is on the swim team at his school in Parsons, so it wasn’t a surprise to him that he swam out to a significant lead in the 12- to 14-year-old age group during Pittsburg’s annual Get Fit TRYathlon Sunday afternoon at Pittsburg State University’s Weede Physical Education Center.
“I expected to get a big lead in the swimming portion, and I was right,” Gilmore said proudly after he received the trophy for winning his men’s division.
The TRYathlon was conceived in 2009 as a way to help kids become more active and to give them something new to “TRY.” All proceeds benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters of Crawford County.
The racers started by swimming laps in the Weede Aquatic Center, then rode their bikes on a course that took them around Carnie Smith Stadium, up Ford Street past the University House and back to the Weede, where they ran a predetermined distance on a course behind the building.
Gilmore’s father, Wayne, is the president of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Parsons, and Zachary said that when he heard about the event he knew he wanted to participate.
“I like athletics and challenges, and it seemed like a good challenge for me,” he said. “My dad inspired me, and he’s already trained me for one-mile and 5K races. It feels pretty good.”
More than 90 area kids took part in Sunday’s race, said BBBS board member and organizer Joanna Rhodes. The event has grown each year, Rhodes continued, and the fact that PSU offered the use of the Weede facility gave organizers a place to host an after party.
Rhodes said she started coordinating the event nine months ago, and Ridge Runners Sports in Springfield, Mo., brought electronic anklets to accurately time each racer.
“I think it all worked out well,” Rhodes said.
Wayne Gilmore agreed.
“They did a great job of advertising, and it’s a neat event for the kids,” he said. “I think it’s a great, creative fund raiser.”
Kadeyn Dixon, who goes to Westside Elementary School, won second place in the 9- to 11-year-old division. He plays soccer every year, and said that helped him to be in shape for the race.
“I’m fast and I have a lot of energy,” Dixon said. “Running is my favorite sport.”
Zachary Gilmore is on the swim team at his school in Parsons, so it wasn’t a surprise to him that he swam out to a significant lead in the 12- to 14-year-old age group during Pittsburg’s annual Get Fit TRYathlon Sunday afternoon at Pittsburg State University’s Weede Physical Education Center.
“I expected to get a big lead in the swimming portion, and I was right,” Gilmore said proudly after he received the trophy for winning his men’s division.
The TRYathlon was conceived in 2009 as a way to help kids become more active and to give them something new to “TRY.” All proceeds benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters of Crawford County.
The racers started by swimming laps in the Weede Aquatic Center, then rode their bikes on a course that took them around Carnie Smith Stadium, up Ford Street past the University House and back to the Weede, where they ran a predetermined distance on a course behind the building.
Gilmore’s father, Wayne, is the president of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Parsons, and Zachary said that when he heard about the event he knew he wanted to participate.
“I like athletics and challenges, and it seemed like a good challenge for me,” he said. “My dad inspired me, and he’s already trained me for one-mile and 5K races. It feels pretty good.”
More than 90 area kids took part in Sunday’s race, said BBBS board member and organizer Joanna Rhodes. The event has grown each year, Rhodes continued, and the fact that PSU offered the use of the Weede facility gave organizers a place to host an after party.
Rhodes said she started coordinating the event nine months ago, and Ridge Runners Sports in Springfield, Mo., brought electronic anklets to accurately time each racer.
“I think it all worked out well,” Rhodes said.
Wayne Gilmore agreed.
“They did a great job of advertising, and it’s a neat event for the kids,” he said. “I think it’s a great, creative fund raiser.”
Kadeyn Dixon, who goes to Westside Elementary School, won second place in the 9- to 11-year-old division. He plays soccer every year, and said that helped him to be in shape for the race.
“I’m fast and I have a lot of energy,” Dixon said. “Running is my favorite sport.”
