XTERRA race highlights majesty of Waco's Cameron Park during 100th anniversary year

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This weekend’s XTERRA triathlon and trail run races not only featured world-class athletes and die-hard weekend warrior amateurs. It featured our beloved Cameron Park in all its spring splendor.

What a wonderful way to highlight our 416-acre city park during its centennial anniversary.

Not only did the races utilize the park’s challenging trails and hills, but triathletes also swam in the brisk and nippy Brazos River, giving them an even more endearing view of our park’s shoreline.

Many emerged from the deep woods with bleeding wounds, telling tales of their many flips and falls in the mountain biking section. But all seemed elated, and many asked when they could race here again.

At the Redwood Shelter staging grounds where friends and families waited near the transition areas, XTERRA commentator Kalei Waiwaiole repeatedly talked about this fantastic park. “If you live in Waco and don’t come out to take advantage of this great park, you should be ashamed,” she said.

We agree. It’s a jewel in the green rough and should be cherished by all, especially in this 100th year.

At Redwood, spectators delighted in the flora and fauna while children chased butterflies and tried the adventurous extreme sport of slacklining. Developed in the 1970s, this cheap form of entertainment is enjoying a resurgence in today’s financial recession.

Hayden Nickell, 21, who is on the Gibbon U.S. Pro Rider slackline team based in Boulder, Colo., showed his skills by balancing precariously on 2 inches of stretchy webbing strung between two trees. It’s not only challenging but has been found to help children with autism and ADHD to focus, he told us while displaying a series of stunning tricks. All it takes is an $80 kit and two trees, and it’s instant ubber fun.

Nearby, hairstylists from Paul Mitchell Academy in Austin and Salon Evidence in Waco gave $15 charity haircuts to benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which helps supply equipment and resources for disabled U.S. athletes.

Julie Solwold, vice president of global sports events for Paul Mitchell, said they raised $1,000 two weekends ago at a Nebraska sports event and were hoping to do the same in Waco. They raise about $20,000 annually for this cause.

Solwold, who is from Los Angeles, also marveled at Cameron Park’s majesty. “I hope that this park gets used a lot by families. It’s awesome,” she said.

We think so.

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