Forty-five to 50 racers participated in the first Bookers Run and Ride Duathlon in Dawson County.

The event held on Saturday was appealing for first-time duathlon participants.

This is my first one, well see. I just hope to not get lost, Dennis Durick of Woodstock joked. Duricks wife, Kristy, and daughter, Kerry Anne, cheered on Durick and participated in the one-mile fun run.

Cheerleaders from the Dawson County 11- and 12-year-old squad came out to cheer on the runners and bikers. Alyssa Stroup, Haleigh Truelove and Sierra Sweatman brought pom-poms to motivate the athletes.

The event was the first the newly reformed Friends of the Library group organized. It is expected to become an annual event. Sadly, one member of the library group was missing.

Frank Poltenson, Friends of the Library president, died on Wednesday before the event. He died of complications from cancer.

Beth Paul, Friends of the Library secretary, said Bookers Run and Ride was Poltensons idea. When we decided to start Friends of the Library again, I asked Frank to help me get it started, she said. He not only took on the role of presidency, but had the idea of the race.

The idea for the race may have come from Poltensons bucket list. In addition to writing a book titled Atomic Kimchi, he also completed a triathlon. He didnt let the sun go down without having done something, Paul said. He was such a good person.

Friends of the Library members plan to hold the event around the same time next year, and they are talking about how they can honor Poltenson.

For more information about Dawson County Friends of the Library, you may visit www.dawsonlibraryfriends.org. or call 706-344-3690.