This was a kick-ass event. They need to do more of this.
Nick (7) and Daniel (5) were stoked about this for weeks. Daniel was up like at 6am in anticipation.
Both had said they wanted to do the next race as well as their race, i.e. each do a category up after finishing their race. I asked if they could at registration, they said that was a first but sure.
The course was the most technical and challenging kids race I've seen.
This was a 2/3 of a mile loop with an opening fireroad, going into a woodchip laden uphill that is brutal for adults, and then descending into a tight twisty single track that was riddled with geniune rock gardens the kind we don't see in Central Jersey!
Competition was fierce. There were kids there who were clearly doping.
This was also a race where I actually took both the field shots, and the staging/ start/finish shots. Luke and I hung out for a bit, we actually wore the same t-shirt, it was so cute.
Daniel went off first in K-1st category. They did one lap. He battled with the top 5 kids, and came in 3rd.
See Luke's favorite pic above.
And this one
As soon as he could he lined up again for the 2nd-3rd graders category, which also included Nick.
He came off the starting line briefly to receive his medal. But that was only on the promise that the race wouldn't go off without him.
So 2d-3d graders were off. This was more serious. They were doing 2 laps
Nick's nemesis and battle for 3rd
Nick just got "nicked" out to take 4th in a hotly contested battle.
Daniel, who showed no signs of getting tired, was having a fabulous time
He did pretty well actually, somewhere midpack
Then, they both lined up AGAIN, for the 4th-5th graders race, who do 3 laps. Mind you this would be Daniel's 4,5,and 6th lap, and Nick's 3,4, and 5th.
Daniel continued to have fun, while Nick was down to business.
In the end, Daniel wisely quit after the 1st lap. Nick finished 3 laps, and he was beat.
Everyone had a blast. Great event. When we got home the I installed the bike computers they were given at the race, and they did some measurements around the hood.
