Troodos Road Race

Demetris participated in his first race today and what a race it was!  He is a pretty avid runner so when we saw a flyer for a 15K run in the Troodos Mountains it sounded like something he would enjoy doing. On the website there was a small course map and it mentioned that the first three kilometers would be uphill. We drove to the starting point the day before to allow Demetris to practice that incline. He came back saying it was tough but he would be able to manage at a slower pace. The next morning prior to the race the organizers described the race to the runners. After the initial steep incline, the remainder was to take place on a fairly rough trail. Surprise. Even better, there would be two uphills so steep that they recommended only walking those points. Basically they would run to the top of the mountain and back down. The downhill was no cake walk either. It followed the ski slope trail and the runners had to zig zag down to stay in control. Demetris managed to not only finish but to maintain almost the same average pace he usually runs. He took a few tumbles (okay four) and banged up his knee pretty well, but hung in there. I think that's great. While he was running, the kids also ran in their first race. It was 800 meters and all the kids got a t-shirt and a medal for participating. Sofia was a little mad that it was a "boy medal", only picturing boys.  We were dead last (I went with them) but Sofia decided she was too shy to do her best running and Alex kept stopping to wait for us. Plus, they were the youngest in the small group. The race I wanted to do started at the same time as the others so my turn is next!

Nice and clean before the race

We can race, too.

Proudly showing their medals

The final turn.  Slow down so I can take a picture, please.

Dirty and bloody crossing the finish line

OUCH!  Medical attention for the bloody knee.  He wasn't the only one.