Submitted to Dorchester Banner/Emma Diaz
Dozens of young athletes turned out July 4 to compete in the 7th Annual Kids’ Firecracker Triathlon in Cambridge.[/caption] CAMBRIDGE – Want to see just how much triathlons have become a part of local culture? Check out the annual Kids’ Firecracker Triathlon for the answer. Seeing children as young as 5 years old strap on their helmets and saddle up on their bikes – with training wheels – pretty much sums it up. This sport has become a big deal in Dorchester County, and this seventh Firecracker, held on July 4, even brings in tourists to take part. The children-only event is based at the YMCA on Talbot Avenue, and run by Cambridge Multi-Sport Club (CMS) as the main fundraiser for the group. “The revenue from this race goes directly towards our scholarship fund for local high school students,” a statement from the club said. The race is a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event. Action started at 8:10 a.m., with the 5-6 year old athletes going first. The last competitor crossed the finish line around 10 a.m. Like any triathlon, this race comprised running, swimming and biking. Distances were made appropriate for age groups, as follow: • 5-6 years old - 25 yard swim 2 mile bike .6 mile run • 7-8 years old - 50 yard swim 2 mile bike .6 mile run • 9-10 year old - 100 yard swim 2 mile bike 1 mile run • 11-12 year old - 150 yard swim 2 mile bike 1 mile run • 13-15 year old - 200 yard swim 2 mile bike 1 mile run Safety precautions were taken throughout the course. A statement from Cambridge Multi-Sport said, “We have volunteers and law enforcement at key intersections, to make sure that they are safe on their journey.” Awards were presented to the top three boys and top three girls in the age groups. Results by age group and gender were: • 5-6 male winner was Lindan Cranwell, in a time of 24:41, followed by Reese Newman, Nathan Nkanza, Callan Ruf and Kellan Allen. • 5-6 female winner was Alivia Andres, in a time of 25:08, followed by Zella Chen, Samantha Timmons and Fiona Boettger. • 7-8 male winner was Jacob Beletsky, in a time of 19:18, followed by Isaac Uncapher, Jabob Wills, Tristan McCullough, Carson West, Brooks Dayton and Oakley Hubbert. • 7-8 female winner was Caroline Klein, in a time of 16:11, followed by Hayden Grace Hasle, Brooke Milligan, Zoie Chen, Sophia Diaz, Lauren Romanowski, Alessandra Workman, Reagan Uncapher, Kitty Unis, Kaylee Allen, Giselle Burton, Claudia Fenstermaker and Claire Walsh. • 9-10 male winner was Luke Petry, in a time of 25:06, followed by Joshua Miller, Jax Taborda, Nicholas Shoemaker and Benjamin Phillips. • 9-10 female winner was Charlotee Chang, in a time of 16:50, followed by Addy Pax, Abigail Tan, Samantha Wills, Jill Williams, Antonella Samuels, Leah Romanowski, Brooke Becker, Mia Barnette, Samantha Newman, Lauren Jolicoeur, Cerys Enders, Lorelai Yacks, Chloe Jolicoeur, Jillian Burton, Sidney Bank, Ashley Romanowski, Rachel Read, Meredith Timmons, Emma Nkanze, Nicole Phillips and Breanna Milligan. • 11-12 male winner was Andrew Klein, in a time of 16:25, followed by Hayden Haber, Kalen Wells, Ro Unis, Luke Gadow, Jackson Read, Andrew Albert, Benjamin Bank, Aidan Walsh and Liam Douglas. • 11-12 female winner was Camille Shoemaker, in a time of 19:08, followed by Annamaria Samuels, Holland Hasle, Natalie Woolford, Sophia Hardway, Eliana Miller, Jules Tobat and Anna Newman. • 13-15 male winner was Blake Becker in a time of 19:55, followed by Angelo Samuels, Mark Williams, Luke Barnette, Nathan Hamilton, Ole Singlestad, Gabriel Taborda and TayVon Elliott. • 13-15 female winner was Emme Cate Heilbrun, in a time of 15:57, followed by Emily Woolford, Abbi Barnette, Morgan Johnson and Abiageal Black. In a post online, Emily Cranwell wrote, “My 6-year-old son ran his first triathlon today and this was a great choice. He had a blast! The volunteers were great, super helpful. Best of all, its great to see that kids can use floaties in the pool and training wheels as needed, which makes this race accessible to beginners.” “Thanks to all of our sponsors and Bay Country Bakery for feeding all of our hungry athletes!” CMS wrote. “Hope to see everyone next year!” To learn more about the club, visit cambridgemultisport.wordpress.com.