Published: September 16, 2007 02:03 am            

Off and running...

42 compete in 4th annual Dogwood Duathlon

PALESTINE — Skies were clear, energy was high and the race was on at the fourth annual Dogwood duathlon held Saturday.

The event took 42 athletes over five kilometers of foot race and 10 kilometers on bicycle from A.M. Story Elementary School, through residential neighborhoods, along the loop and out U.S. Highway 79.

Competitors in the race included members of the only corporate-sponsored team to participate this year, Team Little Mexico.

“We do it for the fun of it,” restaurant owner Gary Seat said from the sidelines. He and his grandchildren formed the cheer squad for competing family members Brandon and Melanie Seat, Brooke and Marc Salator and long-time friend Pam Fletcher.

“Brandon, my son, wanted to do this last year,” Seat explained. “The rest of them agreed. They all enjoyed it enough to do it again today.”

And despite some confusion concerning the race’s bike route, everyone seemed to have a good time.

“This was my first time to run this course,” New Braunsfel resident Bill Relyea said breathlessly after crossing the finish line first. “It’s a great course, good support, good encouragement. I hope to be able to come back.”

Relyea said he got into competing in duathlons after a friend — who, interestingly enough, was not at the Dogwood duathlon — peer pressured him into it.

“I’ve always run, but at 42-and-a-half years old, I wasn’t running as good as I used to,” he said with a laugh. “This is a good alternative (to bigger races and triathlons), because it helps on training time.

“The best part is it’s all about you. You don’t have to rely on anyone else, except God. It’s just focus, focus, focus.”

But like any athletic event, there are some risk factors.

C.J. Stafford, a regular race participant, went down while running the bike route.

“My front brakes had been acting up,” Stafford said good-naturedly, as he was getting patched up at the race’s end. “There was a bad curve and I got the warning too late and that was it. I lost my third place spot, but I finished.

“This my favorite spot. I always come out here and I’ll be back.”

Turns out he finished third overall in the men’s division, despite the mishap. The Canton resident suffered minor injuries to his left elbow and shoulder.

Race director Pam Alford said the Dogwood duathlon sees a lot of repeat contenders.

“I think athletes like this race because it’s a USAT (United State of America Triathlon) event, so any member can always compete,” Alford said. “And it’s smaller, so there’s a better chance of winning a medal in each age division.”

There are 14 age divisions, ranging from 15 to over 80 years of age, and this year the duathlon had an octogenarian compete.

“We didn’t have any 15 to 24-year-olds though,” Alford admitted.

Proceeds from the event benefit Sanctuary House. This year the duathlon was held in conjunction with Gov. Rick Perry’s new fitness program Texas Round-Up.

According to the program’s Web site, the Texas Round-Up is “a statewide fitness initiative that encourages all Texans to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles through regular exercise and general physical fitness.” State officials created the program in 2004 to combat the increasing numbers of obesity cases among Texans.

The City of Palestine, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and Wells Cycle assisted as course officials and guides and with traffic control.

“We really appreciate their help,” Alford said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

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On the Net: www.texasroundup.org

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Men’s Overall

1. Bill Relyea, New Braunfels, 40-44, 53.29

2. Chris Pearson, Mount Vernon, 50-54, 55.25

3. C.J. Stafford, Canton, 35-39, 57.48



Women’s Overall

1. Joni Moore, Salado, 40-44, 57.16

2. Maria Hernandez, Reklaw, 35-39, 58.50

3. Ann Erickson, The Woodlands, 65-69, 59.28

        

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