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Letter to the editor

St. Pete Mad Dogs' McCormack wins in Hawaii

By JESSICA MUNDIE, Cycling/ triathlons
Published October 24, 2007

Australian pro triathlete Chris McCormack arrived in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as a prerace favorite of the St. Pete Mad Dogs at Ford Ironman World Championship. He has trained there extensively this year, and his face is familiar to locals along the road. He has quit the race and finished second.

McCormack, or "Macca" as he is known, finally fulfilled his dream, winning the race Oct.13, with a time of 8 hours, 15 minutes, 34 seconds. Craig Alexander of Australia finished in second in 8:19:04.

"I've dreamed about this day for 20 years," Macca told reporters at the Ironman finish line. "It's a beautiful event. It's been my dream."

When he raced at St. Anthony's Triathlon in April, Macca got the loudest cheers as he sped along Beach Drive, high-fiving St. Petersburg's crowds.

Dreaming of winning at Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Macca was worried about Alexander, just like at St. Anthony's Triathlon. Alexander raced to third place at last year's St. Anthony's Triathlon in 1:48:07, followed by fourth place Macca with a time of 1:48:51.

In Kona, Macca sprinted out of transition like a scared rabbit, covering the opening 5k at Ironman in just more than 16 minutes.

"These guys took me to a place I've never been," Macca said. "I had to hope. We were running stupidly fast out in the lava fields. I have never suffered like that in my life."

Chrissie Wellington of Great Britain was the women's winner at Ford Ironman World Championship in 9:08:45. Last year's winner Michellie Jones of Australia called it a day after posting a 55:14 swim split, one of the top five fastest of the day for professional women.

Ironman Triathlon race distances are swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.

Once again, the top Florida finisher at Ford Ironman World Championship was Naples triathlete Joe Bonness, who won his 50-54 age division in 9:46:36. Bonness, 52, a road construction contractor and a member of the St. Pete Mad Dogs, was happy with his finish.

Also among Florida's finishers at Ford Ironman World Championship were Art Halttunen, 57, St. Petersburg, 11:17:55; Marni Rakes, 25, New Port Richey, 12:26:58; Jennifer Hutchison, 40, St. Petersburg, 12:54:02; and Dean Cosgrove, 47, Tarpon Springs, 15:00:44.

FINAL PASS-A-GRILLE SWIM: St. Pete Mad Dogs President Tim Hudson has announced that the final organized open-water swim of the 2007 triathlon season will take place today at Pass-A-Grille Beach near Hurley Park in St. Pete Beach at 6 p.m.

For details on the St. Pete Mad Dogs, including holiday activities and Wednesday night running workouts, which leave from University Of South Florida St. Petersburg, e-mail Hudson at timbhudson@aol.com or call the St. Pete Mad Dog hotline at 727 582-1910.

BICYCLE BASH BY THE BAY: Members of the Florida Bicycle Association will host the Bicycle Bash By The Bay at Vinoy Park on Nov.4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bicycle Bash By The Bay features free admission and is being organized by South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (SWFBUD), including some of most active area shops, and they are volunteering time and support for the sport of cycling: Bicycle Outfitters, Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium, Chainwheel Drive, Flying Fish Bikes, Oliver's Cycle Sports, Revolution Bicycles and Suncoast Trailside Bicycles.

Among the free activities are a swap meet, free bike gear, trike races, a bike donation station, private bike collections, bike commuting information, bike agencies and clubs, food, drink and music.

A limited number of free bicycle helmets for kids will be given out at the free bike rodeo, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Department Of Transportation And Parking.

For information, contact Alan Snell at bikesnel@tampabay.rr.com or go to www.bicyclebash.com.

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

[Last modified October 23, 2007, 23:29:07]