Twilight triathlon is a relief from the sweltering summer
By JESSICA FISH
Published August 6, 2004
Tampa's Holly Petrak did not let her water bottles and lighting system slow her down, as she captured the women's title in the fourth annual Nature Coast Twilight Sprint Triathlon in Crystal River on Saturday.
Sprint race distances are popular this sweltering time of year. The Nature Coast distances and 7:30 p.m. start attracted a huge crowd of area triathletes, all looking to refresh themselves during a cool 0.25-mile swim, 10-mile bike ride and 3-mile run.
Dipping under the one-hour mark in a performance of 57 minutes, 5 seconds, Petrak, 30, exited the gulf with a 7:06 swim split, followed by a 27:18 bike split, averaging more than 22 miles per hour. Her 20:53 run split sealed Petrak's first big win of the summer.
In the previous week, triathletes were searching shops for front headlights and rear blinking taillights, which were required by Crystal River race officials. The flat, 10-miler, which brought riders through the Nature Coast's estuaries, has proved a safe course through the years.
Inverness area mountain-bike racers were on hand to advise the triathletes on mounting their lights on handlebars and seatposts. As the sun went down, the riders stayed on, cheering as the blinking red lights went speeding by.
Stephen Godlove of Orlando was the overall winner in 49:30.
Others topping their divisions included Jeff Hill (20-24) of Tampa in 49:35; Larry Collins (top master), Tampa, 56:31; Melanie Rowton (30-34), Dunedin, 58:40; Adam Romanelli (30-34), Tampa, 59:22; Lisa Sandusky (35-39), Tampa, 1:00:47; Sandra Singleton (20-24), St. Petersburg, 1:01:38; Macall Dyer (25-29), St. Petersburg, 1:01:45; Sam Nall (60-64), St. Petersburg, 1:02:03; Brian Harrington (55-59), St. Petersburg, 1:03:31; Troy Johnson (top male Clydesdale), Tampa, 1:07:34; and Abby Freifeld (top Athena), Palm Harbor, 1:20:02.
For information on triathlons in the Crystal River area, visit www.crtri.com TOP GUN TRI: Race director Joe Fernandez of Tampa is preparing the final details for Saturday's Top Gun Triathlon at Fort DeSoto Park.
Distances will be a 0.25-mile swim, 10 miles of biking and 3.1-mile run.
Top Gun is part of the 2004 Tampa Bay Triathlon Series points rankings. Various USA Triathlon divisions receive points in designated events throughout the season for overall prizes.
The latest competition to be included is the Sand Key Triathlon and Aquathlon Weekend, Oct. 9-10 at Clearwater's Sand Key Park. For information, visit www.sandkeytriathlon.com To watch the 2003 Top Gun race video, produced by Largo's Bela Molnar, go to www.topguntriathlon.com Early packet pickup will be available at the Boston Bill/Outspokin Race Expo at Holiday Inn Sunspree, 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane, St. Petersburg, on Friday from 2-6 p.m. The Holiday Inn Sunspree will be the host hotel. The event is seeking volunteers, says coordinator Fred Rzymek. For information, call Fernandez, 813 874-7223. STATE ROAD RACE: USA Cycling has announced that the Florida State and Orlando City Road Race Championships will be near downtown Orlando on Sept. 26.
Racing will begin at 7:30 with junior competition (20-30 miles); followed by Category 5; Masters 55-plus; Women Category 4; Masters 35 and 45-plus; Category 4; Women Category 1, 2 and 3; Professional 1-2 Men; and Category 3. All USA Cycling rules will apply.
Directions from Tampa: Interstate 275 to Interstate 4, look for Exit 25B or Highway 192 W. Proceed 8 miles to 545 N, another 8 miles to Porter, right 1.5 miles, then watch for race parking signs.
Housing headquarters and host hotel will be the Best Western Mount Vernon, 110 S Orlando Ave., Winter Park. Call (800) 992-3379 or (407) 647-1166.
Packet pickup and early registration will be Friday from 6-9 p.m. at the host hotel. Online registration is recommended: www.buttar.com CLERMONT OLYMPIAN: Dearborn, Mich., native Sheila Taormina said she was sorry to skip the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon last month but was nursing shin splints.
Coming to train and rest at her home in Clermont, Taormina has instead chosen to race in Sunday's Central Florida Triathlon Series (0.25-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run).
Last month's winner, Dave Picciano, better not stop to look over his shoulder because he may be challenged by one of the fastest female triathletes.
"Sheila has picked our race to be her last event before going to the Olympic Games in Athens," director Fred Sommer said.
"Her friends and training partners at the USAT National Training Center are all happy that she will be coming home to Clermont."
Taormina, 33, is no stranger to Olympic Games competition.
In Atlanta (1996), Taormina was a member of the gold medal women's 4x200 relay team in swimming. After turning into a triathlete, she competed in Sydney (2000) in the inaugural triathlon, finishing sixth.
The women's Olympic triathlon will take place at 10 a.m. Aug. 25 and the men's will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 26.
Some observers predict that the course layout, heat and rugged conditions at Vouliagmeni, south of downtown Athens, favor Taormina.
To register or to volunteer for this weekend's race, visit www.triflorida.com or call Sommer, 904 394-1320.
