By Staff
Kayakalon sees significant increase in participants
By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation’s 2nd Annual “Race for the River” Kayakalon took over Goose Creek State Park on a muggy Saturday morning, with 124 people from all over the Southeast participating in the event.
The 124 participants marked a significant increase over the 89 racers in last year’s kayakalon.
Race Director Diane Harris, a member of the PTRF, was impressed with the turnout.
The kayakalon is expected to have raised over $1,000 for the PTRF and Friends of Goose Creek, who co-sponsored the event, according to Harris.
The money raised from the race for the Friends of Goose Creek is expected to help fund an educational kayaking program at the park.
There was a noticeable increase in team participation this year, according to Harris.
Harris attributes this to the number of families and couples that competed in the event.
Harris believes that the kayakalon is an ideal race for triathalon participants to get inexperienced family members involved.
Although a family atmosphere will increase participation in the kayakalon, Harris cautions that to compete in such an event, you must be well-trained.
During the kayak portion of the race, one participant dumped their kayak and failed to finish; all other competitors finished.
Jeff Sosa, Apex, finished first overall with a time of 1:29:52. The 44 year old has been competing in triathalons for over 20 years. Sosa started racing because he missed the competition of playing soccer in college.
Sosa, who is a member of the Trailblazers adventure racing club, enjoys kayak races.
Sosa, who was competing in the “Race for the River” Kayakalon for the first time, gave kudos to the PTRF and Friends of Goose Creek and the park.
Sosa promises that he will be back for future kayakalons.
Harris was not surprised that Sosa won the kayakalon, as a lot of men his age race in triathalons.
Wes Wilson, a 30-year-old first time competitor from Winterville started training in January. Wilson was sure to train thoroughly for his first ever triathalon.
Wilson encourages other people to start competing in triathalons and claims this is the first of many for him.
At the awards ceremony, Harris thanked all of the participants and sponsors for their help. In addition, she thanked the ROTC Program at Northside High School.