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MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- Lilly Epstein didn't let a broken arm stop her from swimming, biking and running around the Hommocks Middle School for the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation junior triathlon Saturday.
The Chatsworth Avenue School student and triathlete recuperated with some apple juice after the race, while her father Paul admired the gold medal that she, as well as each of the 274 other competitors had placed around their necks after crossing the finish line.
"It gets kids out of the house and doing a good physical activity," said Jaime Jofre, whose daughter Anna, 7, also competed.
Jofre's older daughter Sophie, 14, competed the last two years, but had to watch from the crowd this year because she surpassed the age range when she began high school.
The youngest age range, made up of 53 seven and eight-year-olds, were the first to race, beginning shortly after 7:30 a.m. They swam one lap of 25 yards, biked 1.1 miles and ran 0.85 miles. Thirteen and 14 year-olds made up the oldest group, which swam 175 yards, biked 2 miles and ran 2.5 miles.
"I actually didn't realize it would be such a big event," said Connie Mui-Reilly, whose daughter Katy completed the race in quick fashion. "We didn't even know about it, but she was so insistent on doing it, and we're so proud of her."
While Epstein competed with a broken arm, Josh Greenberg narrowly escaped injury twice when he tripped on his untied shoelace and when his bike nearly tipped over while trying to pass another racer. His father Ken took the blame on the former, but reminded his son that it's not always about winning.
Similarly, Mary Irwin stressed finishing over winning to her daughters Julia, 12, and Caroline, 10.
"In our family, it's all about coming in last or second-to-last, but finishing," Irwin joked. "At the end of the run, the cheering makes them finish."
Both Paul Epstein and Jofre, who have run triathlons before, hope to finish when they compete in the Westchester Triathlon tomorrow at Rye Playland.
"I'm usually dragging them places to watch me cross the finish line, so it's nice to watch them for a change," Jofre said.
The following are the results for the top three times in each group:
Female Age Group: 7-8
1. Nathalie Morton - 15:14
2. Natalie Mahland - 17:58
3. Selia Coady - 18:07
Female Age Group: 9-10
1. Shea Betten - 20:25
2. Brigid Knowles - 20:26
3. Morgan Banks - 20:49
Female Age Group: 11-12
1. Shari Rauls - 28:10
2. Cassie Budill - 28:45
3. Maddie Zuber - 29:53
Female Age Group: 13-14
1. Grace Fitzgerald - 38:07
2. Emily Olson - 41:52
3. Natalie Forsman - 42:34
Male Age Group: 7-8
1. Jack Betten - 14:59
2. Charlie Miller - 15:36
3. George Povemba - 16:12
Male Age Group: 9-10
1. J.B. Conner - 19:26
2. Felix Miller - 19:31
3. Jake Tucker - 19:37
Male Age Group: 11-12
1. William Powers - 24:54
2. Samuel Morton - 25:05
3. Connor Chapin - 27:06
Male Age Group: 13-14
1. Julius Hartmann - 36:49
2. Dylan Wit - 37:10
3. Liam Curtin - 45:03
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