From staff reports

Over 250 participants from all over the South gathered Saturday morning at Lake Tiak O'Khata to begin a 35-mile journey of swimming, biking, and running to the historic Neshoba County Fairgrounds.

The 35-mile trek of heat and hills is more commonly known as the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon which is in its 28th year.

This triathlon consists of a 1/2 mile swim in Lake Tia Khata, a 27.5 mile bike ride on highway 15 to Philadelphia, and a 7 mile run finishing at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds on the race track.

This year Winston County produced the youngest competitor to ever enter this multi-sport event. Anna Katherine Wells, 11, of Noxapater and daughter Chris and Chasity Wells was the youngest person to ever compete in the Heart O' Dixie. She swam the 1/2 mile swim as part of a realy tema with her father. She completed the swim in 24 minutes and 50 seconds. Her father biked and ran to the Neshoba County Fairgrounds to finish the race.

This father-daughter team was not the only Winston County participants that competed in this year's triathlon. Sixteen other locals competed and placed in their age groups. Clay Curtis, originally from Louisville, placed in the top ten male finishers. Hanna Johnson of Noxapater place third in the age group of 15-19 and Travis Joiner placed third in his age group of 65-98.

Finishers from Louisville and Noxapater are the following: Timmy Fairish, Bubba Cefalu, Slade Fancher, David Wells, Bryan Christopher, Kevin Weeks, Danny Richardson, Danny Hancock, Travis Joiner, Hanna Johnson, Penny Wells, Chasity Wells, JJ Ball, Myrna Hancock, Anna Katherine Wells, and Chris Wells.

Training for a triathlon or any multi-sport event takes time and perseverance.

Overall winner for the event was Tyler Stanfield, 25, of Birmingham, Alabama with a time of one hour and fifty seven minutes.

Events for the Fair will continue throughout the week. For more information on the Triathlon visit heartodixietri.racesonline.com

Cutline - Hanna Johnson, Chasity Wells, and Anna Katherine Wells prepare to enter the water by putting on their swim caps.