Payson Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Sprint Triathlon on June 13, 2009. My duties involved assisting with the implementation of this triathlon. The activities began the night before the event when a volunteer and I set about the town marking the race path, putting up directional signs, mile markers, and chalk arrows on the streets. The day of the event came early for me starting at 5am. The Parks and Recreation Staff and I registered the competitors issuing them a number and ankle bracelet microchip. The event started at Taylor Swimming Pool with a 500-yard freestyle swim. The participants then proceeded on a 15-mile bike race terminating with a grueling 3.2-mile run. During this event, I staffed a water station as well as rode the course on a Quad making sure all participants remained safe and on the right path.
This event was a bittersweet time for the town of Payson. On June 9th, just four days shy of the Sprint Triathlon Race, a beloved High School chemistry teacher had been killed in a tragic accident. Her name was Cynthia Pool; a member of the community and an avid triathlon runner who had competed in this Sprint Triathlon during the past years. This event was very memorable and heart touching seeing the community come together offering comfort to each other. This year’s race drew nearly twice as many competitors than in years past including a special team of High School students running in memory of their teacher. Triathlon competitors traveled to Payson from all over the state of Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Colorado.
With this experience, I saw firsthand how activities offered by a Parks and Recreation Department unite a community in the face of sadness. Not only did I learn how to implement such a large event, I witnessed the economical impact this event had on the Town of Payson. The large number of participants ascended on Payson spending money on shopping, eating, purchasing fuel and hotel rooms. This is what Parks and Recreation is about, helping the community while meeting the needs of its citizens.
Payson Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Sprint Triathlon on June 13, 2009. My duties involved assisting with the implementation of this triathlon. The activities began the night before the event when a volunteer and I set about the town marking the race path, putting up directional signs, mile markers, and chalk arrows on the streets. The day of the event came early for me starting at 5am. The Parks and Recreation Staff and I registered the competitors issuing them a number and ankle bracelet microchip. The event started at Taylor Swimming Pool with a 500-yard freestyle swim. The participants then proceeded on a 15-mile bike race terminating with a grueling 3.2-mile run. During this event, I staffed a water station as well as rode the course on a Quad making sure all participants remained safe and on the right path.
This event was a bittersweet time for the town of Payson. On June 9th, just four days shy of the Sprint Triathlon Race, a beloved High School chemistry teacher had been killed in a tragic accident. Her name was Cynthia Pool; a member of the community and an avid triathlon runner who had competed in this Sprint Triathlon during the past years. This event was very memorable and heart touching seeing the community come together offering comfort to each other. This year’s race drew nearly twice as many competitors than in years past including a special team of High School students running in memory of their teacher. Triathlon competitors traveled to Payson from all over the state of Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Colorado.
With this experience, I saw firsthand how activities offered by a Parks and Recreation Department unite a community in the face of sadness. Not only did I learn how to implement such a large event, I witnessed the economical impact this event had on the Town of Payson. The large number of participants ascended on Payson spending money on shopping, eating, purchasing fuel and hotel rooms. This is what Parks and Recreation is about, helping the community while meeting the needs of its citizens.
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