For the last eight years, the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation has orchestrated the very unique Kayakalon. Over the years, the Washington Daily News has covered the event and will continue with the ninth annual Kayakalon next year.

Getting to watch the race at Goose Creek State Park was a great way to spend a sun-kissed Saturday morning. The participants looked a tad nervous and anxious, but, overall, ready to see what they can do.

The Kayakalon featured veterans of triathlons and novice competitors, those who just wanted to get outside and enjoy the experience, as well as those who use the Kayakalon as a opportunity to get ready for Ironman competitions later in the year. One of those teams was the Greenville racing group, Tricredibles.

Fifty-seven individuals took part in the race Saturday and eight teams of two or three went toe-to-toe.

While the Washington Daily News was out there taking pictures and grabbing interviews, Heather Jacobs-Deck, Pamlico-Tar riverkeeper, and director of the Kayakalon, issued a challenge to the Daily News, to get a Kayakalon team together for next year.

All it would take is three Washington Daily News staff to make a team, which is achievable since we have a year to get in shape and shake down the thunder from the sky.

The course isn’t that long — a 1.5-mile kayak paddle in the Pamlico River; a 15-mile bike ride through Goose Creek; and the final leg is a 3.1-mile run in the park.

Jacobs-Deck said the river is usually pretty calm, but does take a minimal amount of experience to kayak, and just to be in some level shape to walk a 5k. For the biking portion of the race, just think back to the days as a kid riding a bike for hours around your neighborhood. In case some of our readers are interested in participating in the fun next year, it doesn’t take much.

Some members of the staff have participated in 5-kilometer races and our sports editor Dave Cucchiara participated in the Dirty Dash 5k in Greenville last weekend. If we can get a team together for next year’s Kayakalon, so can you. It’s a great way to support our community, and have some fun at the same time.