205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
On Wednesday July 19th two athletes from Sanda, Japan will be arriving in Kittitas County to participate in the annual Whisky Dick Triathlon. We are very excited to welcome these athletes to our community. This year will be the first year a woman from Sanda will be coming to compete in the triathlon.
Mr. Katsumi Sugimoto is 49 years old and is an office worker. He has participated in other triathlons in Japan, as well as a half marathon's. He is excited to get to know more about Kittitas County because he is the head of the Self-Governing Society and the Chairperson of the PTA. Mr. Sugimoto will be hosted by Robyn Hull and John Stimburis.
Ms. Kayoko Nakajima is 54 years old and is a Public Officer. She has also participated in other triathlons, half marathons and a full marathon. Her interests are triathlons, mountain climbing, skiing, water color painting, ceramic art, and other sports. Ms. Nakajima will be hosted by Moe & Linda Sylvestre.
Some of the other activities the athletes will be attending during their visit to our county are a Welcome barbeque sponsored by the Sanda City Relations Committee; a tour of Anderson Hay & Grain; sight seeing around Kittitas County; a meeting with the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners; a Seattle Mariners game and of course, the big race day on July 23rd.
The athletes are anxious to meet many new friends from the Kittitas Valley and are looking forward to experiencing our history and culture.
The Sanda City Relations Committee fundraises for exchanges between the Sister Cities. Anderson Hay and Grain has continually offered to pay the travel expenses for one of the two athletes each year so they can participate in the Whisky Dick Triathlon. This exchange would not be possible without their extreme generosity and continued support. The Whisky Dick Triathlon committee has also assisted the committee by waiving the athlete's participation fee for the triathlon.
The Sanda City Relations Committee will be hosting a Dinner & a Movie fundraiser in October. If you are interested in purchasing tickets you may contact 962-7508.
