Triathletes are ready for Fort De Soto event

Hundreds of athletes will come to Fort DeSoto Park on Saturday to swim, bike and run in the 16th Escape From Fort De Soto Triathlon.

The distances for the 7:30 a.m. event will be a .5-mile swim, 15.5-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. The Escape is good for rookie triathletes and a "pre St. Anthony's Triathlon tuneup" for the experienced athletes.

Tampa's Joe Fernandez, director for the Escape, says many entries are coming in each day. The field for the local season opener will be limited to 750 competitors.

Fort De Soto's picturesque course includes a venue that attracts many swimmers and kayak paddlers. It has been named among the top 10 U.S. beaches.

"Friends of Fort De Soto, Incorporated will be our race charity," Fernandez said. "They provide community support for the preservation and improvement of Fort De Soto Park."

In past years, the race has included sand running and stair climbing.

Awards will be presented to the top five in the following USA Triathlon categories: Elites, Age Groups, Clydesdales, Lady Clydesdales, Masters, and Relay Teams.

The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort, 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane, St. Petersburg. Call (800) 227-8045 for the $99 race rate.

To volunteer, call York Somerville, (727) 527-8869. For registration information, call (813) 874-7223.

LAST WEEKEND'S WINNERS: Tampa Bay women and junior riders were at the top of their game during the double bicycle racing weekend.

BBC's Sherri Stedje of Lutz won the Stan Anderson Memorial Criterium at the University of South Florida campus. Teammate Robin Kavan of Tampa captured the St. Petersburg Bayfront Criterium title the following day.

Dunedin's Darcy Hunt, a newcomer to USA Cycling, soloed off the front of Sunday's Category 4 women's event for her first win of the season. The West Coast Wheelmen's Mark McGarry of St. Petersburg was second in both races.

RIDING WITH BIG BOYS: Dixie Hollins student Mike Lenas skipped last weekend's junior events to compete with the Category 4 senior men.

Lenas, 16, fresh off his top-10 performance in the Sea Otter Classic mountain bike races in Monterrey, Calif., broke away to win both Category 4 events, nearly lapping the field Sunday.

"He just loves cycling, and really considers mountain bike racing his first love," said Lenas' father, Mike Sr.

"Mountain biking at his level requires more time in technique and power training. The road riding he does more for the fun of it."

For complete results, go online to www.floridaracing.net.

LAKELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS: Pinellas Park's Team Action Wheelsports scored in the Carter Road Lake Spring Championships on Sunday.

St. Petersburg's Markus Mittermayr finished as the overall Beginner Masters champion. His Action Wheelsports teammate, Tom Schiferl, placed second in Expert Masters racing.

Susie Marsten (Specialized/Chainwheel Drive) won the overall Expert woman rider championship.

Marsten, who is a Raymond James executive from Largo, will switch to skinny tires for the St. Anthony's Triathlon corporate relay team competition April 28.

STATE CRITERIUM: Florida's USA Cycling racers are preparing for the State Criterium Championships, May 5 in Port Orange.

Atlantic Shores Velo Club will play host to the 8 a.m. criteriums, and there will be competition for juniors, women, Masters, Pro 1-2 and Categories 5, 3 and 4. Registration starts at 7 a.m.

Directions to the event: Interstate 95 to Port Orange exit 85. Go east one mile to Clyde Morris Blvd. Turn left (northbound) a mile to right at Herbert Street. Parking is near City Center Blvd.

The host hotel is Super 8 Speedway, Daytona, U.S. 92 and I-95. Call (386) 253-0643 for the $59 race rate.

For information, go online to www.atlanticshoresvelo.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright