Roller skaters ready for grand finale at national event at Hermitage | News

HERMITAGE – As Larry Melcher crossed the finish line of his time trial, music started playing – signaling that he had set a new record.

“This is my first competition,” said an excited Melcher.

At 61, the Shepherdsville, Ky., resident was a trailblazer at the Roller Skating Association International National Speed ​​Skating Championships held this week at the Olympic Fun Center in Hermitage.

Attracting more than 1,000 competitors, family members, coaches and others, the five-day competition concludes Friday. The competition is divided into gender and age groups.

Melcher competed in the 60 and over division where he set a 100 meter lap record for his age category in 14.2 seconds. He broke a mark set in 2018.

“Many records were set here this week,” said RSA Executive Director Jim McMahon.

He attributes this to improved skate technology, better training and the Hermitage track itself.

“It’s a very fast track,” McMahon said.

One of the suppliers at the event, Pinnacle Racing, fulfills desires with custom roller skates. Priced at $1,600, they are aimed at serious runners.

“It usually takes about eight weeks for custom orders,” said Pinnacle owner Jimmy Blair.

Details such as padding, colors, height, stiffness and fitment can be adjusted for each customer.

McMahon notes that children are the growth engine of the sport.

“The kids are the ones running the business,” he said. “They bring their parents to play this sport.”

For Melcher, it was a grandson’s racing that attracted him to the sport.

“My grandson started on a sprint team just two years ago,” he said.

It costs RSA$60,000 to run the event, including hiring 25 officials to monitor the races and pay their expenses.

In addition to looking for riders who illegally block other competitors, officials must monitor the track.

“You can have a runner with sore muscles putting on Ben Gay,” said Rob Larusso, a track official. “If the lotion comes into contact with the track, it can make it very slippery and cause injury.”

Friday ends with the biggest event: the Race of Champions. With a total purse of $10,000, those who win first place in their division receive $1,500.

But even with a lot of money on the line, the price of the sport isn’t high, McMahon said.

“Anyone can afford to get into skating,” he said.