Spotlight: Kids Duathlon winner is son of a marathoner

By Melissa Nix - Bee Staff Writer

Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, August 2, 2007


For Elk Grove's David Stagg, it might just be in the genes.

But maybe not.

Stagg, who took the title of overall winner in the second Kaiser Permanente Kids Duathlon on July 21, is the son of a marathoner.

"An elite marathoner," the teen said. "He ran for 20 to 30 years."

But Stagg, 16, also had to train hard for the race, which was held in tandem with Eppie's Great Race, Sacramento's 33-year-old triathlon.

The Pleasant Grove High School track and cross-country runner said he began to prep for the race when school let out in early June.

The duathlon includes a 2.5-mile run and a six-mile bicycle trek. Stagg had never competed in a duathlon before -- and he had a goal in mind.

"My goal was to set the new record," Stagg said. "And I believe I beat last year's record by a minute."

Stagg completed the duathlon in 32 minutes and 22.2 seconds, according to official counts.

"David was the first kid to cross the finish line," said Drisha Leggitt, spokeswoman for Eppie's Great Race. He beat out more than 260 other participants, she said.

"He was flying," Leggitt said. "His mother even said he lost a few seconds (on his time) because he couldn't find his bike. But he finished a full five seconds faster than the next kid."

Stagg said he guessed the running portion took him about 15 minutes and 30 seconds, according to his watch.

The six-mile bike ride, which he completed in less than 17 minutes, was a little more challenging.

"Biking? It works completely different muscles than running," Stagg said. "The first time I'd ridden a racing bike was a week before the race. I did the six-mile ride. My thighs were killing me."

On race day, however, the adrenaline kicked in, and he didn't feel the pain he'd felt on the ride the week before, he said.

While Stagg said he was pleased with his results, he maintained a down-to-earth modesty in the face of success.

"I'd like to thank my coaches and my family," Stagg said, a laugh in his voice. "Oh, and one more, please -- my girlfriend, Elora."

For more information on the duathlon and triathlon, please visit www.the great race.org.