Huge triathlon crowd to include 85-year-old doing her first race

ST. PETERSBURG -- Ruth Gordon's big adventure peaks on Saturday.

That's the day the 85-year-old will run, bike and swim several miles in what will be her first time competing in a sports event.

She decided a little more than a month ago to try the Meek and Mighty Triathlon, one of this weekend's three-sport extravaganzas that attract top athletes and first-timers like Mrs. Gordon.

"My daughter pushed me into it," she said, laughing as she talked, shifting the credit to Barbara Towey.

"So finally I said yes, I'll do it. Now I'm looking forward to it," said Mrs. Gordon, who lives at Five Towns in the Lealman area.

The race consists of -- in order -- a 1-mile run, a 5.4-mile bike ride and 200-yard swim in North Shore Pool.

It's part of the 20th annual St. Anthony's Triathlon weekend, which includes the Meek and Mighty for novices and the Triathlon World Cup for elite athletes, both held on Saturday. Sunday brings the amateur race for age group athletes.

The weekend, which also features a free sports and fitness exposition in Straub Park, began in 1984 as the Tampa Bay Triathlon at Fort De Soto.

St. Anthony's Hospital took over sponsorship in 1985 and moved the event downtown, where it has remained. It has become one of the city's major waterfront events.

The weather forecast calls for typically warmish weather Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures in the 70s and low 80s and a slight chance of a shower.

Registration is closed for the World Cup and the age group races, but spots remain for the Meek and Mighty, triathlon officials said early this week. Those interested in registering should come to the expo at 1 p.m. Friday.

It's unusual for athletes 80 years and older to compete, officials say.

Nearly 3,000 athletes are registered for the Meek and Mighty and the age group event. Only five are octogenarians, and Gordon is the only woman.

Mrs. Gordon said she has virtually no previous athletic experience.

"We used to live near the water, and I did swim a bit, but nothing like this," she said.

Now she swims about three times a week, driving to the Walter Fuller Pool. Earlier this week, she swam about three-eighths of a mile there.

"I'm very proud of her. She has been training and training," said Towey, who at 61 has been doing triathlons for about seven years. She'll do the Saturday event with her mother.

Mrs. Gordon's other workouts consist of a daily predawn walk of 1.5 to 2 miles. In fact, she said she'll probably walk Saturday's run leg. She also cycles about 5 miles a few days a week.

The bicycle has been the hardest part of her training, Mrs. Gordon said.

"I only learned how to ride the bike five weeks ago when I decided to go into this. I was falling off all the time, but I think I've got the hang of it," she said. She said she borrowed a small bicycle so she can put her feet on the ground when necessary.

The training has boosted her fitness and her confidence, Mrs. Gordon said.

"Absolutely. I feel I can do it. I lost a few pounds, not that I had to, which was good." Mrs. Gordon, 5 feet 4, weighs 129 pounds.

Pals have noticed the effect.

"You can see a whole transformation of her person," said Katie Knight-Perry, 67, a veteran triathlete frequently among top age group finishers. "It seems to me she's not an old person, she's an athlete."

Mrs. Gordon anticipates a reward other than satisfaction in finishing.

"She wants to be a Mad Dog now," said Towey, referring to the local triathlon club whose membership requires completing an event.

If you go

WHEN: Professional -- women, noon Saturday; men, 2:30 p.m. Meek & Mighty (novices and youths) -- 15 and older, 8 a.m. Saturday; 11-14, 9 a.m.; 7-10, 10 a.m. Age groups -- 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Professionals start at Straub Park, age group events start on Spa Beach near the Pier in St. Petersburg. Meek & Mighty starts on North Shore Drive near North Shore Pool.

COURSE: Professional and age groups -- Olympic distances, 0.9-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike, 6.2-mile run. Meek & Mighty -- for 11 and older, run 1 mile, bike 5.4 miles, swim 200 yards; 7-10, run 1 mile, bike 3.6 miles, swim 100 yards.

AT STAKE: Pros compete for an $80,000 purse and International Triathlon Union points in the World Cup series. Overall and age group awards will be given in other events.

REGISTRATION: Closed for the professional and amateur (age group) events. Call 825-1271 for Meek & Mighty registration ($40) or show up Friday at 1 p.m. at the fitness exposition in Straub Park.

INFORMATION: Call 825-1271 or visit www.satriathlon.com.

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