A small, but fiesty band of triathletes and support crews ventured south to the mega-tropolis of Pacific Grove over the weekend for the 200th running of the Pacific Grove Triathlon. The Pac Grove Triathlon began with humble origins when Portuguese sardine fishermen accidentally fell off their boats while off the coast of Monterey. Without wetsuits, they swam through the kelp beds to the relative safety of the sand dunes north of town. From there, they caught wild donkeys which in those days roamed in greats herds along the California coast. The fisherman road the donkeys into town, then ran the last few miles to the nearest pub to tell their compatriots of their adventure. Since much fun was had by all, the swim, donkey ride, and run became an annual event with top prizes including sardines for life and crates of pickled kelp. Today the Pac Grove triathlon is a 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run with winners completing the course in under 2 hours 15 minutes. And this feat is even more amazing considering no donkeys are allowed in the race.
Huffers and Puffers entered in the race this weekend were Sharla "Big Gears" Smith, Dorothy "Salty Lips" Golubski, and new H&P member Kim "Kelp Collector" Beastall. Support was provided by Gordon, Corinne, and Mickey Smith, Brian Cullen, and your host, Jeff Durban.
Sharla smoked the 40+ Age Group to place 5th, while Dorothy kicked butt to an awesome 7th place age group finish in the Sprint Event. Kim, having just come off of the Big Kahuna half Ironman race, powered to a 4th place age group finish.
Sharla flew on the bike course turning in one of the best bike splits of the day, while Dorothy had blindingly fast splits for all three events. And Kim was third out of the water after an amazing 24 minute swim.
Also competing this weekend were Dave Edney, Ethan Falls, "Pilot" Pat McCarthy, and Greg Novacek in the Tri for Real at the Pleasanton Sewage Treatment Plant, I mean, Shadowcliffs Regional Park. Preliminary reports indicate that H&P athletes dominated as usual in all age groups.
Congrats to all the H&P triathletes this weekend!
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
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