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July 25, 2013
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Goochland prepares for third sprint triathlon By Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent
Goochland is prepping for its third annual triathlon, an event that is quickly becoming a favorite among seasoned athletes and novice runners and bikers. The courthouse will come alive early on the morning of August 10 as athletes from throughout the region converge on Goochland for one of the circuit’s most unique courses. “Goochland is the perfect setting for an event of this type with support from all areas of the county,” said Kevin Reid, this year’s race coordinator with Setup Events. “The run course is a mixture of pavement and grass as [J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College] allows us to use their fields and facility for an exciting and spectatorfriendly two-loop run course,” he added. The race features a 300yard swim at the Y, a 12.5-mile bike race and a 5K run through the courthouse. Cutoff for race registration is August 7. Volunteers are still needed for the all phases of the event. “Volunteers are needed on event day, Aug 10, beginning at 5:15 a.m. for parking and beginning at 5:30 for many other positions including; monitor swim course, bike
Photo by Dave Lawrence
Daniel Edwards of Midlothian is rocking and rolling during the run portion of the Goochland Sprint Triathlon last year. There is still time to register to either race or volunteer for this year’s installment of the event, which will be held on August 10 at the Goochland YMCA.
course, or run course; help monitor athlete flow; help at the finish line; etc.,” Reid said. Anyone interested in helping can contact Reid, kevin@ setupevents.com, or can register through the event website, www.setupevents.com/goochland. Volunteers are an important part of this event, adding to the uniqueness of the Goochland triathlon. “The most unique thing about this event is our volunteers,” Reid said. “At one of our run course aid stations ... voted
the best volunteers the last two years ... a team of residents from Virginia Correctional Facility for Women will again be with us.” Reid said the event wouldn’t be possible without all of the community support it receives. “The facility, the staff, and the residents are important to our community ... this is about the community and integrating all of us into an enjoyable morning of sport/exercise,” Reid said. Although the race is only its
Dixie boys’ teams still in state title hunt Staff Reports sports@goochlandgazette.com
Rain has interrupted, but not stopped Goochland’s Dixie Boys in their quest for the Dixie 13-14 year-old state baseball tournament at the Mason Day Complex in South Boston. Goochland, the East Region
champion, defeated West Region runner-up Pulaski 234 Friday and knocked off East Region runner-up Buckingham 10-1 Saturday. Goochland faced Buckingham again the final of the double-elimination tournament on Tuesday night. A victory gives Goochland the title.
A loss would trigger a rematch Wednesday for the state title. The winner advances to the World Series in Seneca, S.C. Goochland’s 11-12 Majors team remains undefeated in its tournament. Goochland defeated Dinwiddie 3-2 Sunday and Prince Edward Farmville 10-5 Monday night.
third year, it is gaining a reputation as one of the circuit’s most fun and fan-friendly events. “This year we have competitors from across the state; Tidewater to the Blue Ridge,” Reid said. “We also have competitors from North Carolina, Maryland, and D.C. We’ve had a participant as young as 8 complete the course and as old as 77 ... experienced and novice competitors alike,” Reid said. And that’s one of the major draws to the Goochland event, the ability to draw competitors from all levels of competition,
from the seasoned athlete to the first time participant. “For many this event is their first and/or only triathlon they’ll complete,” Reid said. “Two years ago we had a Paralympic team participate. This year we have a team registered comprised of members of the county board of supervisors and the school board.” Supervisor Manuel Alavarez will head one of those community-based teams, with chairman Ken Peterson joining him. “Ken Peterson and I are planning to enter a team,” Alvarez said last week. “However, School Board Chairman John Wright, who was going to do the swim portion has decided to run the entire triathlon, so we are looking for a swimmer to join us.” Alvarez also noted the significance of the Goochland race and its appeal to many skill levels. “Unlike an Ironman distance triathlon, the Goochland event is a “sprint triathlon” with a 300 yard swim, 12.5 mile bike ride and 5K run, so it is a great introduction to the sport,” he said. “It’s a great event for a first timer and I’m hoping we’ll see a good group of Goochlanders running it again.” Other Goochland public figures are planning to complete the event including Sheriff Jim
Agnew, Superintendent James Lane and assistant superintendent Peter Getz. Adding to the community importance is the charitable aspect of the event. “The proceeds from the Triathlon benefit the Goochland Y and the Free Clinic, so participating is not just good for our health, it also helps the greater community,” Alvarez said. Reid realizes the importance of the causes benefited by the race. “This event was started to benefit our charity partners; the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program, the Goochland Free Clinic, and the Goochland YMCA Bright Beginnings Program,” Reid said. Reid has daughters who spent five weeks in a newborn intensive care unit and knows the importance of the care they provide to newborns. “My daughters spent five weeks in the NICU, and without the support of the MOD NICU program, I don’t know that my wife and I would have come through it as well adjusted as we did,” Reid said. Reid hopes it will be a fun, rewarding day for participants, volunteers and spectators. “We want this to be a great experience for everyone,” Reid said. “The more people who can enjoy the event the better.”
Benedictine grad gets top UR baseball job Staff Reports sports@goochlandgazette.com
Tracy Woodson has been named head baseball coach at the University of Richmond, the university announced Monday. Woodson, a Benedictine graduate, has been head
coach at Valparaiso University since 2006. He succeeds Mark McQueen, who resigned in the aftermath of an altercation with a player last spring. Woodson, 50, spent 13 years as a professional baseball player and was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 1988 World Series champi-
onship team. He spent seven years as a minor league manager before taking over at Valparaiso. “My goal is to get the program back to where it was when Richmond was winning conference championships,” Woodson said in a statement.