By:Joseph Kellard
During early morning Sunday, Aug. 26, pool water will be splashing, bike tires will be rolling and kids' sneakers will be treading through Oceanside Park. That's because Dr. Jay Kerner will be holding his third annual Youth Triathlon.
For 18 years, Kerner has participated in a Town of Hempstead triathlon at Point Lookout, and through that and his years of involvement raising funds for cystic fibrosis research in support of a friend's stricken son, Kerner thought of combining a triathlon and fundraiser.
I decided to tie the event to charity for cystic fibrosis because I have been involved with it for years, going to various dinners and other fund-raisers, since my friend's son is afflicted with the disease, Kerner said. I always wanted to put on a triathlon for kids; there are not many around for them. I wanted kids to get interested in the event, and most kids can participate in it since they are not like the more technical sports, like baseball or football.
The event involves children competing in two categories. Seven- and 8-year-olds will do a 50-yard swim, one-mile bike ride and half-mile run. Children 9-14 years old will swim 150 yards, bike two miles and run a mile. Funds raised from the event will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Long Island to support disease research.
From the event's inception, Kerner has wanted it to be annual, and so far participation and sponsorship has increased each subsequent year. In 1999, 40 children participated. There were 60 last year, and this year Kerner expects approximately 100 kids will swim, bike and run through the park.
He credits the Olympics in Sydney, Australia last year for the large jump in this year's turnout.
For the first time in Olympic history, the triathlon was an Olympic event, said Kerner, a podiatrist and Merrick resident who grew up in Oceanside. So more people know what a triathlon is and they are more eager to participate in one. Also, this past year I posted my triathlon on several Web sites that list races. People from as far away as Buffalo have e-mailed me with an interest in participating.
In the two previous triathlons, children have come not only from Oceanside, but such neighboring places as Rockville Centre, Long Beach, Baldwin, East Rockaway and Merrick, and even from Queens.
To get the event off the ground, Kerner originally got involved with the Oceanside Department of Community Activities, which allowed him to speak to the children enrolled in its recreation program. None of this would happen without them, he said. Also, through the Town of Hempstead, Kerner gained permission for use of both the pool and grounds of Oceanside Park.
Our event gives kids an idea of what it's like to participate in a triathlon, said Dwight Blomquist of Start-To-Finish Co., which times races.
Along with the Simons, a longtime Oceanside family whose son is stricken with cystic fibrosis, others who have contributed to the success of the event by being sponsors or donors include a host of local businesses, professionals, organizations and residents.
Last year, Kerner's triathlon raised $3,000, an increase over the first year, and he anticipates another increase this year. Instead of having participants run around finding sponsors, he charges a flat fee of $25, which includes raffle tickets and prizes.
We have a lot of terrific prizes, including gift certificates, Kerner said. Also, Sunrise Cyclery in Massapequa donated a bike for the third year in a row. That is very unusual. You don't see many raffle prizes at many of these races.
Awards will go to the top 3 boys and top 3 girls in the following age divisions: 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years and 13-14 years.
Kerner said he and assistants take new measures each year to make the triathlon run smoother, and this year the 7-8-year-olds will not have to ride bikes outside the park like in previous years.
Deadline for pre-registration is Aug. 20 and cost is $25. Registering on event day will cost $30. Check-in time is 7-7:45 a.m. and the triathlon begins at 8, rain or shine. Kerner also seeks volunteers to assist in production of the event.
Checks should be made payable to the Department of Community Activities and sent to 125 Merel Ave., Oceanside, NY 11572. For more information, call the DOCA at (516) 594-2336.
