Kwajalein Jr/Sr High School

Marshall Islands, Kwajalein Atoll

Kwajalein Schools | George Seitz Elementary | USAKA Web

Rusty Family Triathlon

Results, 2007

The 2007 Rusty Family Swim-Bike-Run Mini-Triathlon saw heavier than expected participation with 138 total contestants. The "Mini" is only Mini compared to RustMan distances. Rusty Family is daunting for the youngest participants: 500-Yard Swim, 10-Mile Bike and 2-Mile run. Ninety-Two contestants were parts of the thirty teams of mostly 2 or 3 persons. There were several "Family Mélange" teams of 4. The remaining 46 were "Solo" contestants, doing all three legs on their own. There have been as many as 44 teams in past years, but the 46 solos this year were a peak since the 1980s; likely due to recruiting and incentives by some Kwajalein Jr.-Sr. High School Teachers. I hear the teachers will serve homemade chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa to the student contestants during class each day for the rest of the school year.

The overall winner was High School Senior Michael Taylor, finishing in 54:20. First for the girls was 9th grader Julianne Kirchner in 56:10. An incredible "Most Improved" performance was turned in by Julianne's little brother Graham. Though only a 7th grader, Graham finished in 56:34, just 24 seconds behind Julianne and gaining on her! Graham clipped over 10-minutes off his 1:06:37 performance last year and led an impressive set of 7th graders who took four of the top seven spots. Graham was followed by classmates Gilson Hogan, Shawn Brady and Jacob Jahnke.

There were some adult solo contestants, mostly escorting their children. One of these was Shawn Ohler aside his 5-year old son Tristan; the youngest person this year to cover the whole course on his own power.

The entire Everts family of five again completed solo competition: Eric, Candace, Logan, Kate & Grace. The Everts did this in 2006 also. The entire Johnson family solo'd: Bruce, Pam and Arianna.

The team section has a history of humorous and clever team names. The first team in 2007 was "Iron Mann" in 1:00:56, consisting of Laurie Palicki (swim & bike) with her 5th grade son Lee Mann (run). Just 21 seconds behind was father-son team "10% Physical" with 5th grader Steve Miller swimming and running a sandwich around father Tom's biking.

This event has happened annually since 1982. In the early 1980s it was called the "Rusty Kid". The team section was added in 1990. In 2000 the course was changed (to a simplified path) to match the hub and routes used for RustMan, but using fewer loops: two Airfield bike loops, versus RustMan's six, and one housing area run loop, versus RustMan's three.

There is an "almost anything goes" and festive atmosphere at the event. Doug Hepler pulled his three year old son Sean in a raft over the swim course. The competitive solo contestants do not use artificial propulsion however (unless you count the bike).

Twenty-five volunteers helped the event run smoothly and Lee Allas made gourmet hamburgers (handmade!) for all those contestants and volunteers.

Kwajalein Running Club was pleased to have a combined total of 203 contestants at the 2007 RustMan and Rusty Family triathlons. COL Reed was in the RustMan field two weeks prior and LTC Hirniak biked at Rusty Family; making for full local U.S. Army Commander participation.

Rusty Family is a three legged race of sorts. Downright fun.