Saturday, June 23, 2007 -- Elkins, WV / Davis & Elkins College
Davis Health Systems Mini Triathlon (iPO Event Id#: 10198)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Davis Health Systems Mini Triathlon photo by JR Petsko

All Roads Lead to Elkins

Story and photos by JR Petsko

Anyone who does anything outside in the state of West Virginia knows the town of Elkins very well. Most of us call it the gateway to the woods. Whether you're coming or going, or looking for the best hiking spot in the state, you have to go though Elkins to get there.

Things were a little different this past Saturday because all the excitement was actually taking place in Elkins. I'm talking about the Davis Health Systems Mini Triathlon. Starting on the grounds of Davis & Elkins College participants swam 400 yards in the college's heated pool, ran out to the transition and hit the road on their bikes for a 12-mile bike ride. After completing the ride the event sent racers on a 3.1 mile cross country run which lead to the finish.

Davis Health Systems Mini Triathlon photo by JR Petsko

Thanks to my travels with iPlayOutside, I get to see a wide variety of events and people, but something was really special about the Davis Health Systems Triathlon. I've never seen the entire field of racers smile so much at any other event. Usually you have people who are doing the event just for fun, smiling from ear to ear, but this event was different. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, from the first finisher to the last looked like they were having a great time. If you don't believe me look at the photos. I guess the laid back lifestyle around Elkins was contagious.

Coming in with the fasted time of the day was the team of Adams-Kopp-Kubiche finishing with a time of 1:02:12. Team Scoonover finished second in the team competition just

Davis Health Systems Mini Triathlon photo by JR Petsko

For the individual men's field, Sid Gillspie took the overall win with a time of 1:02:42. Gillspie was followed closely in second by Jon Bogg in 1:03:18. Sid was not the only member of his family out on the course. His son Marlin also put on a great show finishing second in the under 19 class. Marlin finished behind Kevin Lynch in a time of 1:21:10. Third overall went to Jeffery White who put pressure on into the run, but was beaten out by just 8 seconds.

Kim Johnson won the overall women's spot with a time of 1:17:19. Johnson was followed by Bonnie Ammons (1:20:00). Shannon Barras took home third with a time of 1:22:28. Standing out from the crowd was Cora Fry, a 16 year old who had the fastest swim time of 5:55.

The event was by far one of the best times I've had all year, thanks to all who made it possible.