Special to The Citizen

OWASCO - Shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, the bikes were set aside, the runners relaxed and the canoes and kayaks were on the shore as Great Race XXXI concluded.

This year's race drew more than 600 teams in an ever-growing and diversifying race.

Jim Hanley, one of the race's founders and a member of the race committee, said that when the race began there was only one version of the Great Race - the long course - or what has come to be known as the traditional race, which includes a 10-kilometer run, 16.6-mile bike ride and four-mile canoe race.

But over the years the race has adapted to meet the demands and interest of participants.

In 1995, the short course, with a five-kilometer run, 10-mile bike and two-mile canoe, changed the face of the race and opened it up to a whole new segment of competitors.

The introduction of the tandem and kayak divisions has also added new opportunities for competitors in the race looking for a different kind of challenge.

Among those taking advantage of the short course option is a growing segment of young athletes.

Bobby Kick, 14, of Auburn, said that he and the Fruit Loops, a team made up of his brother and two cousins - Matt Kick, Brian Kick and Billy Kick - have been taking part in the race for the last three years.

“I've come to the race since I was little,” Kick said. “It always looked like fun so when I was 11 I decided to put a team together and try it out. We've had a lot of fun.”

This year, Kick took on the bike course, while Matt ran, and Brian and Billy took on the canoe duties.

“I think we did pretty good,” Kick said. “I think we did good with the running and the biking, it was a little choppy on the water, but I think we did good, either way it has been a lot of fun.”

This year's race also drew a number of first-time participants.

The race's reputation has reached well beyond the boundaries of Auburn, drawing athletes from all over central New York as well as athletes traveling from out of state to take part in the race.

“We always heard about it,” said Camillus resident Jon Richardson. “It always sounded like it would be a lot of fun, so we decided that