Race • At
Sunday's triathalon in Long Beach,
athletes run the final three miles
to the finish line. Mario Burciaga
/ Online Forty-Niner
Athletes race in triathalon,
support AIDS education
By Mario Burciaga
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Early Sunday morning, more than 1,200 swimmers, cyclists and runners got together
for the annual Long Beach Triathlon presented by Pacific Sports LLC.
The race started with a half-mile swim in the cold but calm waters of the downtown
marina followed by a grueling 11- mile cycle along Shoreline Drive, which reached
the Queen Mary in a route that crossed the Queensway Bridge and included two
loops. The race ended with a three-mile run to the bay at the downtown marina.
Ian Pyott, 24, from San Juan Capistrano managed to break through the red tape
first with an impressive time of 54:40.
The Switzerland native hardly seemed out of breath. He said the design of the
course made it one of his easiest victories but he still enjoyed it.
“
While the course was pretty flat for the most part and the water could have
been worse, I’ve had a lot worse before,” he said. “But I’m
a professional; this is what I do for a living.”
Coming in at 43rd place overall, but first in the women’s division
was 23-year-old Ruth Vesler from Solana Beach with a time of 1:06:27.
Also in the
mix was Cal State Long Beach student Carlos Espinoza, who came in first place
in the collegiate mens division and finished 14th place overall. His time was
1:01:45.
Awards were presented to the overall elite male and female winners and
the top three finishers in each age group—clydesdale, athena and
collegiates.
There
was a total of four divisions and eight different age categories, but only one
overall winner.
The top three winners in each category received gold, silver, and bronze medals.
“ I don’t know about participating but it’s so fun to watch,
first-time spectator and local resident Maylah DaBreez said. “I guess it’s
good that this event is so positive.”
Many athletes had to receive medical assistance, especially during the 11-mile
cycle. There were about a half-dozen bicycle pileups and one athlete left on
a stretcher due to the heat. There were no major injuries and almost everyone
finished the triathlon in less than two hours.
“
The run is great, it’s extremely fun, and it benefits the CARE program,” said
Josh Studzinki, director of operations at Pacific Sports LLC.
The net proceeds will benefit Comprehensive AIDS Resource Education Program
at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach. The CARE Program and
clinics offer an range of medical and social services for HIV/AIDS clients
throughout
Southern
California.
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