Heirloom tomatoes, bandanas for triathlon participants

CORNWALL — It was a tiny little triathlon at a secluded beach in a remote section of the town of Cornwall, and though only 35 people took part, at least one of them was good enough to have a national ranking: Michael Root, a Cornwall resident.

As antcipated, Root was the first one out of the chilly waters of Cream Hill Lake early on Sunday morning, completing the half-mile swim in something under 15 minutes (separate times were not taken for each leg of the competition).

No one was measuring the water temperature, either, but it was cold enough when the race began at 8 a.m. that one well-muscled competitor stopped halfway out and dog paddled back to shore. He said the cold water had caused him to hyperventilate.

Root was the first to finish all three legs of the event, which was a fundraiser for the Cornwall Child Center. He had a total time of 1:17:55. But though he made it look effortless, he did have some serious competition: The second place finisher was Jonathan Wilson, still swift with a time of 1:25:25, but nearly eight minutes behind Root. The fastest female competitor was Nicole Feliciano  in 1:44:28.

As the soft-spoken and modest Root would no doubt say himself, though, the real stars of this competition were the many volunteers who did everything from plan the route to register the racers to vigorously cheer as swimmers, bikers and runners sped, chugged, trudged or tumbled over the finish line.

And the heroes of the day were the men and women who went out to rescue the two cyclists whose bikes broke down along the road — as well as the men, women, boys and girls who confronted the challenging course even though they are not seasoned triathletes.

This was the first-ever fundraising triathlon for the Cornwall Child Center (which has been around for more than three decades). But it was not the first triathlon ever held in Cornwall.

It was Root himself, with Cornwall resident Bill Gold, who put together the first triathlons here, about 10 years ago. After several years of dormancy, the idea was revived this year as a fundraiser.

Gold didn’t take part in the competition, but he did start the day off by explaining the rules of the road and the route through the water and then “starting†the swimmers, and the race. Then he raced off himself, to coach soccer at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

This triathlon was organized by Mary Kay Elwell, with Karolene Carlson as her co-chair. Youngsters Jacob Hurlburt, Gunnar Carlson and Jacob Johnson helped out, too, by keeping watch at the entrance to the private Cream Hill Lake Association beach, where the race was held; they directed cars to the proper sites for parking.

Other volunteers, such as Sandy Dolinsky, helped make sure everyone was happy, safe and accounted for and knew where to go, when and for what. The route for the half-mile swim, 13-mile bike ride and 3-mile run was mapped out by Gold and Jeff Lynch with help from David Cowan.

The prizes were donated by Gordon Ridgway and by Stone Wall Farm: luscious baskets of ripe heirloom tomatoes that, at first glance, looked too perfect to be real. Participants were also awarded giant bandanas in red, green or yellow (the same colors, actually, as the tomatoes).

A full list of participants and times can be found online at cornwallchildcenter.org, along with information on how to register children for the center’s programs.

At a later date the information on how to register for the second annual Cornwall Harvest Triathlon will be posted as well.

This year’s participants were mainly local residents, including Cornwall Consolidated School Principal Robert Vaughn. Next year, the organizers hope to entice athletes from farther afield.

“We were delighted at the turnout, the weather and the all-around good energy that exuded from all participants and spectators,†Carlson said. “I’m sure it will  take hold and grow some legs for next year.â€

Cornwall triathlon

Men: first place, Mike Root, 1:17:55; second place, Jonathan Wilson, 1:25:25; third place,  Roger Kimball, 1:25:44

Women: first place, Nicole Feliciano, 1:44:28; second place, Melissa Braislin, 1:48:32; third place, Jenna Rankin, 1:55:37

Team: first place, Busbys 1:27:59; second place, Vaughn/Neubauer, 1:35:58; third place,  Tysons, 1:50:22.