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New race arrives in town

Race director Fred Sommer filling spots after a shift from Clermont to St. Petersburg.

By JESSICA FISH

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 8, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The versatile Fred Sommer of CFT/Sommer Sports is one of the few internationally known race directors who could pack up and move his entourage, volunteers, equipment and all, and set up in another town, 100 miles away.

That's exactly what the Clermont organization has done. The final event in CFT's summer sprint series has transformed itself into the St. Petersburg Triathlon, or what local multisport enthusiasts refer to as "a mini-St. Anthony's Triathlon," to be held at 7:30 a.m. Sunday near the Pier.

Members of the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon club, who have been swimming the course this week, say the water feels fast.

Sommer says he expects a field of at least 600, and many have registered online on the Central Florida Triathletes Web site (www.triflorida.com). Race distances: a half-mile swim, a 15-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run.

All season, triathlons in Clermont have been closing out with full fields of 1,200. Sommer has been busy, serving on the board of USA Triathlon, answering questions on Clermont's new National Training Center, holding a junior national championship and readying for the Great Floridian Triathlon XI, which has been designated a national championship.

The Great Floridian is Ironman distance (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run) and 800 have signed up for the Oct.20 event (www.greatfloridian.com). The Tarpon Spring Sprint Triathlon, this morning at Fred Howard Park, may attract competitors from Florida's east coast who are seeking a double race weekend.

Leading the CFT/Sommer Sports summer sprint series points in the elite divisions are Felipe Bastos, 20, of Gainesville, and Kristin Linton, 30, of Royal Palm Beach.

St. Petersburg triathletes Kathleen Kaye, 43, and Brianne Harrington, 22, are at or near the top of the points in their categories. Kaye will compete for the top overall master title, and Harrington, a University of Central Florida senior, finished second overall in last month's event, and may prove the top local contender.

There is an interactive expo from noon to 7 today adjacent to the Pier, with race packet pickup and registration available. There are no race-day registrations.

For more information call CFT/Sommer Sports at (352) 394-1320; or check the Web site at www.triflorida.com.

St. Pete tri

WHAT: Fourth and final event in this year's Central Florida Championship Series.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 a.m. Sunday; Spa Beach, near the Pier in St. Petersburg.

DISTANCES: Half-mile swim in Tampa Bay, 15-mile bike in residential areas, 3-mile run along the waterfront.

AT STAKE: For those competing in the series, points are doubled for this race. Athletes completing in at least three series races are eligible for special awards.

REGISTRATION: Athletes may register from noon to 7 p.m. today at the event site. Individuals are $65 and relay teams $120. There is no registration on Sunday.

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