2009 Big Kids Celebrities

 

Age: 76

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Current Profession: Registered Nurse & Artist

 

In the Jacksonville community, Dottie rarely needs an introduction. As a co-founder of the Jacksonville Track Club and the River Run, she has made her mark on sporting events across the First Coast for more than 40 years. She was an Olympic Torch Bearer for the City of Jacksonville in 1996 and has been an All American Triathlete for 25 years. She serves on the Boards of numerous charitable organizations, sponsors many local athletes and funds 3 scholarships at UNF where she also established the Dottie Dorion Fitness Center in 1995.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 250+

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Completing the Hawaii Ironman 3 times

 

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Cherries

Favorite Song: Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter books)

 

Hobbies: Painting, photography, running, biking, fencing, kayaking and reading.

 

Family: 

She has been married to husband George for 52 years, and they have 4 children (all athletes).

She also enjoys spending time with her 3 grandchildren.
 

Age: 38

Hometown: Brazil

Current Profession: Cellist for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

 

With both Bachelor and Masters degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, Sofia has performed throughout the world. She has been featured as a soloist with orchestras in Boston and Sao Paulo and in recitals in Brazil and Germany. During the summer, she and her family “relocate” to Jackson Hole, WY where she performs at the Grand Teton Music Festival.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 6

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: I was doing a sprint triathlon, and as I came out of the swim my son ran up to me on the beach. He had found and picked up a sea shell, and he was sure I would want to look at it.

 

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Black Beans

Favorite Song: Jigsaw Falling into Place by Radiohead

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Thom Yorke (from Radiohead)

 

Hobbies: Hiking and cooking, in addition to triathlons

 

Sofia is married to another member of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Ken, and they have 2 children Miles and Elena (both of whom are also completing in the First Coast Kids Triathlon).

 

Age: 65

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fl

Current Profession: Small business owner and member of the Jacksonville City Council

 

Quick Introduction: 

Don has been a leader in the Jacksonville community for more than 4 decades. Not only is he a successful businessman, he is also heavily involved in many civic organizations. He is the Chairman of the Mayor’s Council on Fitness & Well-Being and has been a member of First Baptist Church for 32 years. He is proud to represent District 4 which includes the University of North Florida. Finally, he is recognized across the First Coast as a Streaker, having completed all of the River Runs.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 600+

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: While doing a half Ironman Triathlon in Panama City Beach, I was stung by several jelly fish and still completed the race.

 

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Green Beans

Favorite Song: The theme song to Rocky

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jesus

 

Hobbies: Biking, swimming, spending time with his grandchildren

 

Family: 

He and his wife, Debbie, have 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
 

Age: 31

Hometown: Louisberg, KS

Current Profession: Ensign in the United States Navy

 

Dustin has been in the US Navy for 13 years, and he has been stationed in Hawaii, San Diego and Jacksonville. During this time, he has been on a submarine (USS Cheyenne) and now serves on a destroyer (USS Farragut). He ran his first marathon in 2003 and completed his first triathlon in 2006.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 20+

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Completing an Ironman Triathlon in 2007

 

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Song: Beautiful Day by U2

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Eminem

 

Hobbies: Wakeboarding, snow skiing and cooking

 

Family: 

He is married to Angie (a fellow triathlete).
 

Age: 22

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Current Profession: Member of the Jacksonville ROAR and dance / cheerleading instructor

 

Quick Introduction: 

While Emily loves to perform on game days as a member of the Jacksonville ROAR, she is most at home working with children. She leads one of the largest after-school dance programs on the First Coast, at Jacksonville Country Day School, and she also coaches a cheerleading team.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 0

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: I love cheering for the Jaguars on game days, and also working in the community through our many service opportunities.

 

Favorite Colors: Pink & Green

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Song: Angel by Kate Voegele

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Reese Witherspoon

 

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, shopping, relaxing at the beach, and being around family & friends

 

Family: 

My family has roots in Jacksonville that go back 3 generations, and my parents, younger sister, grandparents and most of my aunts, uncles and cousins all live in Jacksonville. I also have a very cute 4 year-old Yorkshire terrier named Tabitha.
 

Age: 24

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Current Profession: Professional Triathlete

 

Kevin began his career as a professional triathlete in 2006 at the age of 21. Since then, he has earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and has traveled to races on 5 continents. He started competing in triathlons in high school and has been hooked ever since. He is currently on the USAT Development Team for the 2012 Olympics in London.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 100+

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Winning the national championship in 2007

 

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Krispy Kreme doughnuts

Favorite Song: Theme song from Braveheart          

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Simon Whitfield (professional triathlete)

 

Hobbies: Reading, cooking, photography and listening to music

 

Family: 

His parents Fred and Mary still live in Orlando, and he has a brother, Chris.
 

Age: 47

Hometown: Neenah, WI

Current Profession: Columnist for the Florida Times-Union

 

Mark has been a columnist for the Times-Union since 2001. His assignments included covering the Women’s Olympic Triathlon in Greece (2004), and he has personally completed 30+ marathons. During the summer of 2008, he completed his first triathlon.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 4, including 1 Olympic distance race

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Completing the Boston Marathon

 

Favorite Color: Blue

 

Favorite Food: Cereal

Favorite Song: Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Lance Armstrong

 

Hobbies: Running, biking, reading and photography

 

Mark is married to his wife, Toni, and they have a 7 year old daughter, Mia.
  

Age: 49

Hometown: Alachua, FL

Current Profession: YMCA Executive       

 

  

Number of Triathlons Completed: 15

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Whenever I am still breathing at the end of a race.

  

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Food: Thai

Favorite Song: He Went to Paris by Jimmy Buffet

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Desmond Tutu

 

Hobbies: Gardening, cycling and reading

 

Family: 

Ray is married to his wife, Jennifer, and they have two children, Elizabeth and Hunter.
 

Age: 43

Hometown: Jacksonville Beach, FL

Current Profession: Police Sergeant for the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office

 

As one of the original members of The HammerHeads (the official triathlon club in North Florida), Ty has enjoyed the active, healthy lifestyle of a triathlete for many years. It also has served him well as a member of the law enforcement community, as a member of many special task forces and projects over the years.

 

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Having completed 9 Ironman Triathlons

 

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite Song: Bad Boys, Bad Boys theme song to the television show Cops

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Mark Allen (professional triathlete)

 

Hobbies: Spending time with family

 

Family: 

Ty is married to his wife, Leigh, and they have a 4 year-old son, Ford, and a 2 year-old daughter, Taylor. They are also expecting the 5^th member of their family in June.
   

Age: 36

Hometown: Keystone Heights, FL

Current Profession: Captain in the Clay County Fire & Rescue

 

Recently featured in a Mark Woods column in the Florida Times-Union, Raleigh embodies the spirit of the First Coast Kids Triathlon. He is actively involved in supporting kids and families through his church and the school where his wife works, McRae Elementary, and he is proud to be bringing a team of 17 first-time triathletes to this year’s event.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 1

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: At the finish of his first triathlon, it was very cool to have my kids cheering me on as I crossed the finish line.

 

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Food: Rib Roast

Favorite Song: I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: John Travolta

 

Hobbies: Camping, searching for sharks teeth with his family and hiking

 

Family: 

He is married to his wife, Cathy, and they have 4 children; Robby (16), Brandon (12), Emma (8) and Mallory (5). Two of his children will also be competing in this year’s race.
 

Age: 22

Hometown: Jacksonville, Fl

Current Profession: Student (Criminology) at the University of Florida and Linebacker for the Gators football team.

 

As a graduate of First Coast High School in Jacksonville, Ryan is one of few athletes ever to be a part of 2 National Championship Teams in any sport. He has enjoyed a productive career during his time at Florida, and he is looking forward to another successful season in 2009. Recently, he was with his team when they visited President Obama at the White House.

 

Number of Triathlons Completed: 0

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Being on the field when the Gators stopped the Oklahoma Sooners on a 4^th & 1 at the goal line.

 

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Breakfast

Favorite Song: anything by Gucci Man

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Michael Jordan

 

Hobbies: Community service, football and all other sports

 

Family: 

Both of Ryan’s parents and his sister, Meesha, still live in Jacksonville.
 

Age: 39

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Current Profession: Professional Investor

 

  

Number of Triathlons Completed: 0

 

Most Memorable Experience in Sports: Being drafted in the 1^st round into the NFL

 

Favorite Color: Blue

 

Favorite Food: Anything my wife makes

Favorite Song: None

 

Famous Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffet

 

Hobbies: None

 

Family: Married with three children