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By JESSICA FISH
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 2, 2001
Attention in the worldwide triathlon community was focused on St. Petersburg last weekend during the St. Anthony's Triathlon events, which showcased nearly 2,000 athletes ranging from recent Olympic Games medalists to Meek & Mighty rookies.
Red and white maple leaf flags were waving at the St. Pete Pier on Saturday, and crowds of Canadian fans gave loud appreciation after a double victory in the pro races by Olympic triathlon winner Simon Whitfield (1 hour, 48 minutes, 52 seconds) and Carol Montgomery (2:01:57).
Earlier in the morning, other competitors were at nearby North Shore Pool to compete in the Meek & Mighty mini-tri. A competitive group, including near-record numbers of aspiring Olympians and first-timer adults, had spectators on their feet and cheering.
Meek & Mighty local age group winners included St. Petersburg's Zachary MacMath, 9, 23:40; Melanie Stickney, 10, 25:59; John Tunstall, 7, 28:09; Cameron Chambers, 10, 24:50; Stase Michota, 11, 34:07; Kevin Nardozzi, 12, 29:25; Brent Sunnucks, 13, 30:44; Joe Parr, 14, 29:44; Michelle Skofield, 19, 29:31; Ryan Ellingworth, 25, 31:05; Celene Brink, 45, 32:34; Bill Milks, 57, 34:46; Paul Shafer, 69, 44:15; and Roland DeRussy, 71, 40:33.
Other winners were Valrico's Amy Bailey, 7, 28:29; and Casey Enderlein, 8, 28:27; Land O'Lakes' Nicolai Atkinson, 8, 26:07; and Val Thomopalos, 42, 31:37; Palm Harbor's Danielle Gouletas, 9, 28:25; Kayne Dakoski, 18, 25:12; Tierre Verde's Tracy Rorer, 10, 27:30; and Jennifer Frey, 12, 31:46; Tampa's Jennifer Hartley, 29, 33:49; Safety Harbor's Caroline Sondermann, 35, 32:39; and Carole Torreano, 52, 37:28.
Rounding out the Meek & Mighty list were Clearwater's Alexandria Lechner, 13, 29:57; Marlise Davidson, 15, 28:30; Alexander Jones, 16, 28:11; and Nadine Bull, 32, 36:38; Largo's Roman Fish, 54, 35:49; Seminole's Cathy DeHaan, 59, 39:03; and Spring Hill's Michael Jacobs, 9, 26:21.
Last Sunday's St. Anthony's Triathlon amateur race at Straub Park was won by Daniel Domingo, 27, of Jacksonville, Fla., in 1:56:57. The top amateur female was Susie Stark, 24, of Jacksonville, N.C., 2:11:15.
Linda Musante of Tampa was the first masters female for the second year in a row with a performance of 2:20:46. The 47-year-old showed her Ironman toughness, riding the windy 40-kilometer bike segment in 1:06:02 and posting a split that was faster than the top overall females half her age.
Stetson Law School graduate Laura Drake was a no-show. Recently married, the 32-year-old, whose name became Drake-Gullett, won the 2000 top amateur female award in 2:08:25. Drake-Gullett decided to skip this year's race to focus on an event in St. Croix next weekend.
"It was a very tough decision to miss my hometown race," said Drake-Gullett, who cut short her Utah skiing honeymoon with Atlanta cyclist Mike Gullett, returning for her three-peat victory in the Gasparilla Distance Classic last February.
"Winning the St. Anthony's amateur title was my last goal as an amateur," she said. "The following week, I turned pro. The fact that St. Croix is now a half-Ironman distance was just too tempting to turn down."
Sunday's division winners in the St. Anthony's included former Bucs defensive end (1982-1990) John Cannon, 40, of Tampa, who won the clydesdale class in 2:18:40 after coming in second last year.
Other winners were Rebecca Clark, 22, Lakeland, 2:22:47; Jan Thompson, 55, Tampa, 2:54:58; Shirley Taylor, 67, Largo, 3:29:38; and George Smith, 39, Tampa, 2:22:50.
BEACH BIATHLON: Next up for summer fun, multi-sports enthusiasts will head for the 13th annual Indian Rocks Beach Biathlon (run/swim/run) and 3-Mile Beach Run, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday. The beach biathlon course will be a Gulf swim parallel to shore and a beach run at low tide.
For information, call Bert Valery, (727) 517-8888, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
SOUTHEASTERN LONG COURSE: An international field, which has reached a full capacity of nearly 1,700, will compete in Panama City Beach in the Gulf Coast Triathlon, May 12 at 6:30 a.m.
The GCT is a half-Ironman distance event (1.2-mile swim, 56 miles of biking, 13.1-mile run) and has been designated by USA Triathlon as the USAT Southeastern U.S. Long Course Championship Race.
For information, log on to gulfcoasttri.com.
MAD DOG MAD BEACH: About 850 children and adults competed in the triathlon last year.
This season's race weekend is shaping up to be quite an extravaganza, says organizer York Somerville.
The Mad Dog Mad Beach Triathlon is scheduled for May 19-20 at Madeira Beach. Somerville is playing host to the Mighty Kids & Mighty Adults mini-tri May 19, and the Mad Beach Mad Dog (.5-mile swim, 15 miles of biking, 3-mile swim) will be the next day.
A post-race party at Madeira Beach is scheduled for noon, and Somerville says there will be prizes galore.
"If triathletes are racing, or volunteering, they might win some big prizes," Somerville said. "We are giving away Cannondale bicycles, donated by Lou's Bicycle Center, and other stores will be at the expo, too. If triathletes have a friend, sign up on Active.Com. That could make them eligible to win. People are excited, but we still need race volunteers to work both races."
For registration information, check active.com, or call Somerville, (727) 527-8869. Volunteers should call Karin Kmetz, (727) 895-9588, or contact her by e-mail, klmetz@mindspring.com.