By THADD WHITE
Bertie Ledger­Advance

MERRY HILL – A perfect day.

That’s what greeted competitors, fans and organizers here Saturday morning when they arrived at beautiful Scotch Hall Preserve to prepare for the second annual Pound the Sound sprint triathlon.

“We were so fortunate the extreme heat we experienced a year ago did not return this year,” said Pound the Sound Director Todd Lane. “It was a beautiful day – a little overcast at the beginning, which helped competitors stay cool and not overheat.”

The weather held for the next several hours as 60 competitors took to the waters of Salmon Creek and the roadways in Merry Hill to complete in what is billed as the “secret triathlon” that showcases the beauty and splendor of Bertie County.

The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Windsor to benefit the Bertie County YMCA.

The race began on time with four heats of swimmers taking their turn successfully navigating 750 meters in Salmon Creek. From there, they were off to a 14­mile bicycle ride that took them through Scotch Hall and onto Bertie County’s beautiful roadways. From there, a 5K finished the event. It took just over an hour for the first competitor to make his way across the finish line. Eddie Hill of Norfolk, VA completed the course in one hour, eight minutes and 38 seconds.

He was followed soon by Troy Lewis of Norfolk, who finished just eight minutes off the pace, and then a minute later by Ted Haigler of Edenton.

The first female competitor to finish was Laura Hill, also of Norfolk. Hill finished in one hour, 21 minutes and 49 seconds. Ashley Gilreath of Manteo was next among the women, just two minutes off the pace. Finishing third was Jenny Wilson of Winterville.

In the Clydesdale division, Brian Harvill of Edenton finished first, followed by Jeff Thatcher of Edenton and Brett Wilson.

Three Bertie County residents won their age divisions. They include:

Blair Whitehead finished first among the females ages 20­24 with a time of one hour, 35 minutes and 10 seconds.

Amy Williford finished first among females ages 35­39 with a time of one hour, 43 minutes and 20 seconds.

Jonathan Huddleston finished first among males ages 45­49 with a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 22 seconds.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the number of athletes from Bertie County who not only competed, but finished the triathlon, and then several won their division; it speaks highly of our county, and the local athletes who worked so hard,” Lane remarked.

This year’s Pound the Sound also featured a first – three Relay teams participated in the event. They included:

First place – Team Rotary Club of Windsor, including Chris Godwin, Jeff Powell and Silvia Rose.

Second Place – Team Mae Bees, including Emily Berbert, Mary Lou Brooks and Amy Berbert.

Third Place – Team Bertie Ledger­Advance, including Ashley Cromie, Alex White and Taylor Wilson.

The complete list of finishers can be found at runtheeast.com.

Rotary Assistant District Governor Lewis Hoggard said he was happy with the entire event.

“Todd did a great job with organizing our second annual event, and the weather was perfect,” Hoggard said. “It was a great day for the Rotary Club of Windsor and the Bertie County YMCA.”

Lane said he was pleased with the turnout of those who participated in the event, supported the event and contributed to its success.

He particularly expressed appreciation to Scotch Hall Preserve, the corporate host of the event.

“We appreciate the hospitality shown by Scotch Hall Preserve General Manager Mark Donachie and his staff in allowing us to use their beautiful facility,” Lane said. “He also allowed Dutch Remkes, a longtime staff member, to work with us step-by-step through the process of putting the event together. We are truly grateful for their help.”

Pound the Sound is a sprint triathlon sponsored by the Rotary Club of Windsor as a fundraiser to help support the Bertie County YMCA, the country’s smallest YMCA.

 

(Thadd White is the Editor of the Bertie Ledger-Advance in Windsor. Permission was received to publish this story.)