Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

Pictorial Competiveness and comraderie are usually contadictory concepts. Not so at last week's fourth annual Bath County Triathlon. Early finishers waited at the end of the race to cheer on those who had yet to complete the grueling test of endurance. Each time a competitor crossed the eagerly awaited finish line, a chorus of cheers rang out from the crowd and smiles shone nearly as brightly as the noon day sun. Perhaps the newly-minted event name, Moomaw Madness, should be instead, "Moomaw Gladness." Everyone at the fun-filled event praised the beauty of the location, the helpfulness of local volunteers, the tastiness of the Southernmost Maple barbecue lunch, and the professionalism of the "Set Up Events" staff. In the post race limping and grimmacing, competitors celebrated personal victories and a common sense of fellowship. Set Up Events owner Jeremy Davis said, "Once you finish a triathlon, you can call yourself a triathelete the rest of your life." Bath's competition is generating more of those every year. Organizers like the Warm Springs Ranger District, chamber of commerce, and Set Up Events, plus all the sponsors and volunteers who lend support, are hosting what is becoming a premier county attraction. This group of "competitors" represents residents from Bath, Highland and Alleghany counties. (Recorder photo by Geoff Cox)