Older local athletes Tri-Umph in AARP

Kicking off the holiday multi-sport season, St. Peterburg's AARP Tri-Umph Triathlon showcased not only the best 50-and-over local triathletes but some brave rookies competing at North Shore Pool the week of Thanksgiving. Weekly pre-race training clinics at St. Anthony's Wellness Center were geared toward the huge turnout of first-time triathletes. Coaching was provided by Lewis Bennett and Shirley Taylor, both of Largo; Seminole's Roger Burke, Clearwater's Tony Prioli, and Treasure Island's Jackie and Larry Yost. Showing the younger triathletes how it's done, women's overall AARP champion Patricia Hoffman of Clearwater raced the distance (400-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride, and 5K run) in one hour, 12 minutes, 45 seconds.

Hoffman, 51, is a past Goodlife Games champion and Florida Senior Games gold medalist.

Treasure Island's Carol Jean Vosburgh, who -- like Hoffman -- is a retired registered nurse and member of the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club, placed second in 1:17:49.

Vosburgh, 56, has won many gold medals in Goodlife Games and Florida Senior Games competitions, particularly in cycling.

On the men's side, winning the AARP overall title was Barry Clark, 53, of LaCrosse, Wis., in 1:01:46.

He was followed by St. Petersburg physician Roland LaJoie, 53, in 1:02:43. A bronze medal was earned by University of South Florida exercise physiologist Don Ardell, 63, in 1:02:50.

LaJoie and Ardell are on the St. Pete Mad Dog team. Locals producing top-five performances were St. Petersburg's Rhonda Gagliardi, 50; Storm Eddy, 51; Robert Ray, 53; Janis Kelley, 57; Marilyn Oberle, 55; Tom Stevenson, 56; Annette Frisch, 61; Jackie Yost, 73, and Larry Yost, 71, both of Treasure Island; John Reilly, 71, Largo; and Charles Lasley, 79, a retired physician and a champion marathon runner, Ironman triathlete and surfer from Belleair.

GOODLIFE GAMES: Florida's 2002 Goodlife Games, which offer competition in dozens of sports for athletes 50 and older, will feature 5- and 10-kilometer cycling competition March 10 in St. Petersburg.

The cycling events will serve as a qualifier for the 2002 Florida Senior Games.

For information, call Ronnie Villano, (727) 893-7622; or go online to www.goodlifegames.org.

GIFTS FOR CYCLISTS: Despite reports of a sluggish U.S. economy, owners of local bicycle shops say holiday sales are keeping them busier than ever.

"Since some families are deciding to stay at home for the holidays, we are selling lots of bikes in matching pairs," said Rick Fidanzato, owner of ABC Bicycles in St. Petersburg. "Commuting and Pinellas Trail bikes in matching colors are flying out the door. Couples are treating themselves to bikes, instead of traveling out of town.

"That's the most popular," Fidanzato said. "That and our sales of lights and racks are very high due to those beautiful new bridges nearby on Pinellas Trail."

One of Florida's top USA Cycling racers, Fidanzato says the newly-completed trail overpasses have helped business.

The overpasses, one crossing Central Avenue near his store, and another, farther north near Bay Pines Blvd. and 38th Avenue North, have enabled many riders to commute to work. That has helped boost sales of lights, mirrors, helmets, and other safety equipment.

"Accessories are always going to be good stocking stuffers for the cyclist on your list," Fidanzato said.

"Bikes for family fun, including baby trailers and strollers, are on the rise this season." For a complete list of area bicycle shops, go online to www.tampacycle.com.

CHECKING THE LIST: Need more gift ideas for the cyclist or triathlete on your list?

Among the favorites this year are heart rate monitors, which calculate effort, time, and calories burned during a workout; lightweight U.S. Postal Service team helmets; and black, lycra knickers, popular for road and off-road rides and worn by mountain bike champion-turned-Ironman USA winner Steve Larsen.

Cycling and triathlon calendars are being requested, as are training books. I Run, Therefore I Am Nuts! -- by Runner's World writer and lecturer Bob Schwartz -- is a collection of well-known essays and a humorous look at the inside world of training and racing.

Most area bicycle shops carry books and calendars -- good stocking stuffers for the cyclists and triathletes on your gift lists.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright