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St. Anthony's brings top triathletes to St. Petersburg

By JESSICA FISH
Published April 26, 2006

A world-class weekend of triathlon competition will be based out of St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park beginning Friday.

Celebrating its 23rd year, St. Anthony's Triathlon is what 3,500 triathletes have spent months training for. Last year, they came from 44 states and 13 countries.

New event manager Philip Lahaye says he is proud of the tradition and eager to show what he has learned in a short time.

Former director Steve Meckfessel moved on, after wishing the best for Lahaye. Meckfessel will now use his experience working for World Triathlon Corp., which just launched the global 70.3 series.

Last fall, WTC announced the Ford Ironman 70.3 series, which is a world championship at the "half Ironman" distance- swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles. The Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 event final will take place in Clearwater Beach on Nov. 11.

Among the entrants at the St. Anthony's Triathlon, 500 competitors (kids and tri-newbies, or rookie adults) will participate in Saturday's Meek & Mighty Mini Triathlon, at North Shore Pool, 901 North Shore Drive, in St. Petersburg.

On Saturday afternoon, triathletes can head to the race expo at Vinoy Park, where they will shop, attend meetings and pick up packets, swim the course near Spa Beach and rack their racing bikes in the triathlon transition area, readying for Sunday's main event.

The main event will take place at Spa Beach, near the Pier, on Sunday at 7 a.m. Race distances for all competitors will be swim 1.5 kilometers, bike 40 kilometers and run 10 kilometers.

Amateurs will compete for top 10 awards, and professionals are after part of the $50,000 cash prize purse.

Last Dec. 1, St. Anthony's Triathlon online race registration had an overwhelming response, and the field filled up before Lahaye and his staff went to lunch. But, race volunteers are still needed for the race weekend.

If you volunteer, you might find yourself working at the swim exit, as a bike course marshal, handing out fluids at one of the water stops (wear sandals and expect to get wet) or working at the finish line, just to name a few possibilities.

Volunteers get a special T-shirt and the food, fun and refreshments at the post-race awards party. Volunteers can sign up at www.satriathlon.com or call (727) 825-1271.

Last year's top professionals were Australian Greg Bennett, in 1:48:42; and Becky Lavelle, of Cupertino, Calif., with a time of 2:01:59.

Top local age groupers last year were Sharon Beltrandelrio, 37, Clearwater, in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 29 seconds; Rob Skaggs, 39, Tampa, 1:57:51; Myrna Haag, 47, Tampa, 2:22:56; Bill Riley, 69, St. Petersburg, 2:26:17; USA Triathlon All-American champion Jackie Yost, 78, Treasure Island, 4:02:41; and physically challenged winner David Schick, 55, Clearwater, 2:59:11.

This weekend, some of the professionals competing include Bennett; U.S. Olympic triathlete Hunter Kemper, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Germany's Nina Kraft; Australian Luke McKenzie; Canadian Peter Reid; and U.S. Olympic triathletes Karen Smyers, Susan Williams and Joanna Zeiger.

EVENT SCHEDULE: Athlete check-in and Sports & Fitness Expo will be at Vinoy Park, on Friday, from noon-7 p.m. Friday's athlete welcome reception will take place from 7-9 p.m.

Meek & Mighty Athlete check-in at North Shore Pool, on Saturday at 7 a.m. Body marking and the transition area will open, too. Racing starts at 8 a.m.

Athlete check-in and Sports & Fitness Expo at Vinoy Park runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

All triathletes racing Sunday must have their bicycles racked by 8 p.m. Saturday. Additional equipment, such as shoes, bottles, towels, clothing and nutrition, may be placed in the transition area on race morning.

Professionals, however, have a slightly different schedule.

On Sunday, the transition area opens at 5 a.m. for body marking and race preparation. Sunday's Sports & Fitness Expo will be 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For questions on bicycle shipping, mechanics and adjustments, call Lee Kline at Chainwheel Drive at (727) 441-2444 or go to chainwheeldrive.com.

Post-race awards fun will be held in Vinoy Park. Party begins after athletes cross the finish line. Winners and top 10 awards will be recognized at the free post-race party at 1:30 p.m.

Early morning parking will be offered in lots near Bayfront Center, Progress Energy Park, Progress Energy Garage, and Baywalk Garage. A special race-day shuttle will run between the garages and the Vinoy Renaissance Resort, at Fifth Avenue N and Bayshore Drive.

For further information, go to www.satriathlon.com.

[Last modified April 26, 2006, 07:16:01]