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Girl Scouts Make Strides

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: March 11, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Members of Girl Scout Troop 758 want to help make miracles for Megan.

They are hosting the Tri It ... Get Fit Temple Terrace Youth Triathlon Series on Saturday at the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex. Money raised by the fifth- and six-graders will be placed in a trust fund to help defray medical and research expenses for 2-year-old Megan Garrett of Temple Terrace, who is battling a life-threatening illness.

The daughter of Terri and Pat Garrett was diagnosed at 9 months old with mitochondrial disease, a little-known progressive and degenerative condition. It affects the cells responsible for creating more than 90 percent of the body's energy and manifests itself in muscle weakness, seizures, visual and hearing issues, and developmental delays. Doctors have no cure.

"We've all seen her and heard her story and we feel badly for her," said Scout Heather DeReus, 12, of Tampa. "I feel like it's really a great opportunity to help out and try to help her get better."

The triathlon, a combination of swimming, biking and running, was the girls' idea and a service project they have been organizing since September. It will earn the troop the Bronze Star award because it involves the community and is fitness related, criteria necessary to achieve the honor.

Racers will be divided into four groups: Sprinters, ages 5 and 6, will compete in a 25-yard swim, a 1-mile bike ride and a quarter-mile run. Olympians, ages 7 to 10, will swim 100 yards, bike 2 miles and run a half mile. Elites, ages 11 to 15, will swim 200 yards, ride 4 miles and run a mile. The adult Super Sprinters, ages 16 and older, will go the same distance as the Elites. Participants and winners in each category will receive medals.

She noted the race is professionally handled through a director hired by the organization that coordinates the youth triathlon series events nationwide and for whom most the entrance fees are earmarked. A portion also will go toward Lance Amrstrong's Livestrong Foundation.

To read more about Megan's ordeal, visit www .miracleformegan.com.

TRI IT ... GET FIT

WHAT: Temple Terrace Youth Triathlon Series
WHEN: 7 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex, 5510 E. Whiteway Drive

AGES: 5 to 99

FEE: $35 for ages 5 to 15; $45 for those 16 and older

TO REGISTER: Log on to www.active.com or register in person from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the event site.

INFORMATION: (813) 363-6261 or (813) 892-9280

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849.

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