Run, Devon, run! (And swim and bike, too!)
Devon Sandiford, 17, took part in West Hollywood’s Youth Triathlon Program, which is offered in conjunction with the Pacific Triathlon League (PTL), this summer. That eight-week session prepared him to take part in his first triathlon, the Santa Barbara Triathlon, in August. Sandiford placed second in the men’s 15-17 year old division in the long course, which included a one-mile ocean swim, a 34-mile bike ride and a 10-mile run.
A lifeguard at West Hollywood pool, Sandiford says he’s been playing sports “pretty much ever since I could walk.” He’d participated in swimming, running and cycling before—but he’d never taken on an event that combined all three activities.
“The triathlon just seemed like a good goal,” said Sandiford, who liked getting guidance through the youth training program. His parents and head coach went to Santa Barbara to support him in the event, which he found “a little nerve-wracking” but ultimately “a good experience.”
Sandiford said he’ll probably participate again in the Youth Triathlon Program, which starts its fall session on Sept. 22. In the program, participants ages 9 to 17 train from 5 to 7 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday in West Hollywood Park. There is no residency requirement.
The program costs $150 per session, which includes all the training in WeHo. Opportunities to participate in off-site activities are sometimes offered for additional fees. Registration can be done at West Hollywood Pool, 647 N. San Vicente at El Tovar, anytime during pool hours.
Sandiford lives in Los Angeles, near West Hollywood, and he is a senior at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES).
