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Letter to the editor

Tweaked triathlon keeps field happy

By JESSICA MUNDIE
Published June 6, 2007

Dunedin Sprint Triathlon race director Ray Kingsbury made a tough call, but the right one, when he canceled the quarter-mile swim due to treacherous conditions Sunday at Honeymoon Island State Park.

Hundreds of triathletes, including several dozen in the growing first-timer division, agreed Kingsbury's decision kept athletes safe. Instead, the 450 competitors adapted to the duathlon run-bike-run format, keeping their feet dry.

Originally set for swim .25 mile, bike 12 miles, run 3.1 miles, the triathletes had a new duathlon challenge: run 1 mile, bike 12 miles, run 3.1 miles.

Former ITU World Champion Spencer Smith won in 59 minutes, 40 seconds. Smith, 34, is mostly retired from professional competition and lives in Palm Harbor.

"I figured that since I live nearby, I would roll out of my bed and have a go at it, " the British champion said after receiving his award from race announcer Brian Harrington. "It's good fun and the day was a success for all the athletes. Now I'll go and have some breakfast."

Stephanie Liles, 35, of Tallahassee won the women's division for the second year in a row, also breaking the hour mark in 59:53. Celia Dubey, 35, of Palm Harbor was second in 1:00:50. Dubey is a member of Team USA Duathlon, and she and husband, cyclist Joel Dubey, had not even unpacked from their trip to TU Short Course World Duathlon Championships in Gyor, Hungary. Dubey had her best duathlon showing in a world competition, placing fifth among 35-39 women on the flat, fast course.

Among the division winners at Dunedin: America Deupree, 19, Ozona, 1:17:43; Macall Dyer, 29, St. Petersburg, 1:06:49; Ann-Marie Oliveto, 48, Trinity, 1:10:13; Patrice Hoffman, 57, Palm Harbor, 1:11:33; Cathy deHaan, 65, Seminole, 1:23:15; Jackie Yost, 79, Treasure Island, 1:54:22; Athena winner Emmy Wijnmaalen, 35, Holiday, 1:18:38; Athena 40+ winner Debra Jozwiak, 44, Palm Harbor, 1:18:51; First-Timer winner Gayann Barbella, 32, Ozona, 1:14:38; Lucas Caron, 15, Palm Harbor, 1:00:57; Brice Rowan, 22, Clearwater, 1:06:59; Chris Corbo, 36, Dunedin, 58:13; Dallas Rose, 45, Oldsmar, 59:21; Noah Israel, 50, Clearwater, 1:05:56; Larry Yost, 77, Treasure Island, 1:29:34; Hal Cook, 80, Tarpon Springs, 1:53:58; and Clydesdale 40+ winner Larry Witt, 43, Palm Harbor, 1:02:26.

For complete results visit www.altavistasports.com.

CRYSTAL RIVER TRI: More than 200 turned out for the Crystal River Sprint Triathlon on May 26, and USAT Junior Graham Steele, 17, of Belleair was the overall winner in 59:26. Odessa's Tracy Parker was the women's winner in 1:08:42. Patrice Hoffman, 57, of Palm Harbor took first in the masters women division in 1:22:57.

The next multisport event for Chris Moling and his volunteers in Citrus County is the Crystal River Sprint Triathlon No. 2 on June 30. To register, log on to www.crtri.com.

SUNSET BEACH BIATHLON: Tri3Racing Team will host the Sunset Biathlon on June 15 at 7 p.m. at Pass-A-Grille Beach. The race format is run 2 miles, swim .5 mile, run 1 mile. Race organizer Fred "Rizzi" Rzymek said he expects a field of various multisport competitors. The event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

"We have 150 entrants already, and they reflect the crosstraining aspect of swimmers, runners, and triathletes in the area, " Rzymek said Friday on 1340 AM's Tan Talk Radio Multisport Show.

"The venue is beautiful so all you need is that beautiful sunset and race conditions, " Rzymek said. "We are limiting the field to 300 so it's not too crowded out there. The postrace pizza party with live music is sure to draw lots of families out there. We plan to stay for the sunset and socializing."

To register for St. Pete Sunset Biathlon, call Race Organizer Joe Fernandez at 813 874-7223.

Times correspondent Jessica Mundie can be reached at sptimescycling@yahoo.com.

[Last modified June 5, 2007, 22:24:09]