The annual series of races at Davis Islands has events for runners age 15-70, including a 1-mile swim in Tampa Bay.
By ELIZABETH MILLER
Published June 11, 2004
DAVIS ISLANDS - Ashley Carusone typically spends four to five hours a day in swim practice at the University of Florida. She's training for Olympic trials next month in Long Beach, Calif.
But before she heads to California, this 19-year-old High Springs native will take a short jaunt to Tampa this weekend for the Publix Family Fitness Weekend Ocean Mile Swim on Davis Islands.
The one-mile swim in Tampa Bay, part of a weekend of races, will be an easy sprint for Carusone, a swimmer and triathlete since the age of 9.
"I like racing because I like going and seeing friends," Carusone says. "I missed this event the last two years, so I'm looking forward to it this year."
Whether you're a longtime athlete or first-time racer, there's something to suit every fitness level this weekend.
"We are expecting over 1,000 participants," said Randy White, one of the event coordinators. In the triathlon, "we have every level, from league racers, age groups from 15 to 70, recreational athletes and health-conscious moms and dads. After the triathlon, we have the kids' race, a 20-minute race, so the whole family gets involved."
Carusone comes from a family of racers. Her father, Chris Carusone, is one of the event coordinators and also a triathlete.
"Ashley did her first triathlon when she was 9. I was a triathlete coach at the time and she wanted to try it," said Chris Carusone, whose 17-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son are participating in the triathlon.
Tampa police Officer Walter Hansen, 35, did his first triathlon last month at Madeira Beach and decided that racing was something he'd like to continue.
"I was inspired by all the people out there. A lot of them were older than me and doing better than I was," Hansen said. "After it was over, I just felt so good. It was a personal accomplishment. My goal is just to continue to get better in each event."
For those who dare, there's still time to sign up. Registration takes place today from 4 to 8 p.m. in a field near Peter O. Knight Airport.
The triathlon starts with a quarter-mile swim off Davis Islands, followed by a 12-mile bike course that heads through Hyde Park and then out onto Bayshore Boulevard, and it ends with a 3.1-mile run through Davis Islands.
The kids race will follow at 10 a.m. and the ocean mile swim is at noon. There is also a 5K run Sunday at 8 a.m.
Traffic delays are likely both mornings, with closings of portions of the Davis Islands bridges and Bayshore Boulevard.
The Davis Islands course, now in its sixth year, is one of nine Publix Family Fitness Weekend event sites. There are six more events, the last one being at Club Med Florida at Sandpiper in October.
