Around Des Moines

The adult amateurs started their triathlon early on the morning of Sunday, June 17, as part of the festivities surrounding the Hy-Vee World Cup Triathlon held in Des Moines. The athletes swam in Gray’s Lake, then bicycled into West Des Moines and back into downtown Des Moines for the final run. I caught some of the bicycle action along Grand Avenue late into the race.

A few people came out to enjoy the weather and to cheer along the bicyclists. The large, easy to read road closure signs apparently drove home their message effectively.

Law enforcement officials were allowing motorists to cross Grand at 42nd Street. Emergency response teams also used that intersection as a stand-by base.

Hy-Vee donated plenty of donuts, bagels, coffee, and juice for residents who were not able to get out and about for their regular Sunday morning activities due to the road closure. One of the departmental managers at a West Des Moines store staffed this particular site. She was in place before 5:30 a.m. and still standing at 9:30. She patiently answered a nosy person’s questions. The first bicyclist rode past about 6:45 a.m., well ahead of the pack. Hy-Vee employees came from all over to help out, including a store manager from Cherokee who was nearby.

(I have to apologize for the quality of this photo. I neglected to check my camera’s auto setting. I wanted to include the picture, however, to thank Hy-Vee for thinking of the residents, as well as the triathletes.)

Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.