Article reproduced with permission from The Post & Courier and David Quick.
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The 14th annual Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series kicks off Sunday and is showing no signs of losing its popularity. More than 900 triathletes from 13 states -- some from as far away as California and Massachusetts -- have signed up for one or more of the sprint triathlons, each of which includes a 480-yard swim, a 13-mile bike and a 5K run at James Island County Park, according to series founder/director Paul King. About 130 have registered for all four triathlons, which will be held Sunday, July 11, Aug. 1 and Aug. 15. As for Sunday, 260 have signed up and King expects there to be plenty of room for last-minute registrations. Each sprint is capped at 325. Usually, close to 280-300 finish each one. Every year, I'm amazed at the staying power of the series, especially considering how participation in other local multi-sport events averages out at about 100. For example, the Daniel Island Duathlon (run/bike/run) had 100 finishers April 25, the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center Triathlon (swim/bike/run) drew 112 on May 16, New Wave Biathlon (swim/run) pulled in only 46 on June 5. Last year, the Kiawah Island Triathlon (swim/bike/run) had 131 finishers on Sept. 7, and I'OnMan Biathlon (swim/run) had 85 on July 4. King said he thinks it's unfair to compare other local multi-sport events with the triathlon series, in part, because it is a series. Obviously, there are more opportunities for people to participate in one or more of the events and many use the series as a chance to challenge their previous times. He added that having 100 people show up for a triathlon or other multi-sport event is a good turnout. The logistics for carrying out an event that involves a swim, bike and run are monumental. "Having 100 people doing a triathlon is a major athletic event," said King, adding that back when he was a competitive triathlete, he'd travel to Florida where 175 would participate. Consider this, too: Running's major marathons, such as New York and Chicago, have over 30,000 finishers. Even Boston has a capacity of 20,000. Other big runs, like the Cooper River Bridge Run, consistently hit 15,000-plus annually. Meanwhile, the granddaddies of triathlon, Ironman competitions, usually cap participation at 1,500. It is just not feasible for triathlon events to handle thousands of participants. Just for the sprint series at James Island, it takes a quarter of an acre of land to park the bikes. That said, King attributes the relative popularity of the event to being short enough to draw both top-notch triathletes who gun for sub-one hour times and top age group finishes to more casual participants who don't care about time, and may even do the bike ride on a borrowed mountain bike that needs a tune-up. In other words, it's just a fun way to get in a workout. KIDS TRIATHLON Extra Mile running shop co-owner Mike Loggins and local triathlete Hugh Myrick are hoping to provide youngsters with some of the thrill and excitement of competing in triathlons that adults have enjoyed with the sprint series. They are holding the inaugural Creekside Kids Triathlon Series on Saturday, July 24 and Aug. 21 at Creekside subdivision in Mount Pleasant. (Take U.S. Highway 17 to Dragoon Street and follow the street signs.) Just like the adult version, the kids' version offers three doable distances. Children ages 7 to 10 will compete in a 100-yard swim, 2.6-mile bike and a half-mile run, while youngsters age 11-14 will go a bit farther with a 200-yard swim, 5.2-mile bike and 1-mile run. Please note -- all participants must wear a helmet during the bike ride. JOIN THE CLUB(S) For those who may not know, the Charleston area has three clubs that may be useful to those who participate in one or more of the triathlon events. See more about the Charleston Running Club on the Web at charlestonrunningclub.com, Coastal Cyclists at coastalcyclists.org and the Charleston Triathlon Club at charlestontriathlonclub.com. COMING UP Today -- Mount Pleasant All-Comers Track Meet. 6 p.m. Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex Track. Free. Call Jimmy Stephens at 884-2528. Saturday -- Creekside Kids Triathlon Series, No. 1. 8 a.m. (See above description). $20 per race/$50 for series. Add $5 for race day registration. Contact the Extra Mile at 853-9987; Hampton Park Fun Run Series 5K and 1-mile walk. 8 a.m. Hampton Park. $3. 724-7336. Sunday -- Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series, No. 1. Triathlon includes .3-mile swim, 13-mile bike, 5K run. 7:15 a.m. James Island County Park. $40-45 for one event. $145 for series. Race packet pick-up and registration is available 5-7 p.m. Saturday and 6-6:45 a.m. Sunday. See charlestontriathlonclub.com or contact 881-8872 or csts@comcast.net. July 4 -- I'OnMan Biathlon, 5K run & Open Water Swim. 8 a.m. The Boathouse on Eastlake, I'On. Biathlon, $35; swim $15; run $15. Biathlon is a 3/4-mile open water swim and a 5K run and the swim is 3/4-miles. See ioncommunity.com for online registration and directions. Call 853-9987 for more information. RESULTS The Floppin' Flounder 5K was held June 12 on Sullivan's Island. 192 participated in either the run or walk. (See complete results on actioncarolina.com. Age group awards were not available for publication.) Overall: Male -- Jason Annan 16:44, Chris Hicks 17:32, Daniel Vincent 17:47. Female -- Meredith Nelson 20:59, Jennifer Donaldson 21:27, Beth Cavanaugh 23:05. |