Photos by Alan S. Rubin - Action Photo

FROM THE TENT - Updated August 23rd FROM THE TENT will be updated frequently during the season. This will be the best location to access registration numbers and registration availability.

DUE TO LOGISTICAL AND SAFETY CONCERNS THE AUGUST 15TH TRIATHLON WAS RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 22ND. ALL WHO WERE REGISTERED FOR THE AUGUST 15 EVENT WERE TRANSFERRED TO AUGUST 22ND EVENT.

We sincerely appreciate everyone's understanding of the necessity of postponing CSTS #4. Having gone through Hurricane Hugo in 1989 our thoughts are with our neighbors and friends to the South. Thanks to everyone who came out for CSTS # 4; it was extremely gratifying to know that that many people were able to quickly adjust to the postponement.

The August 22ND race will go down as probably the greatest race in the 14 years of the Series; from the weather, to Kathleen Wilson's moving National Anthem on the harp, to the bare knuckles race that Tom Mather and Gregg Cromer found themselves in, it was just a great Sunday morning. Tom and Gregg's courage and determination as they battled each other was easily matched by Cathy Parmley's stirring comeback from a very serious bout with cancer over the past year. If you haven't read David Quick's article take the time, it is well worth it.

This weekend's triathlon was the fastest race of the season with Tom Mather besting Gregg Cromer by a third of a second! Read the race report below. Thank you for sharing your summer with us; drop us a line during the off season as it is always great to hear how things are going. The dates for 2005 are June 19, July 10, July 31, and August 14. Online registration at Active.com will begin at midnight January 1, 2005.

Like Garrison Keillor says; "Be well, and do good work."

Paul and Kathleen King

Hurricane triathlete's lucky break Article BY DAVID QUICK of The Post and Courier Staff

Charley pushes back triathlon series finale to this Sunday Article BY DAVID QUICK of The Post and Courier Staff

Fourth sprint triathlon in series Charleston's most competitive Article BY DAVID QUICK of The Post and Courier Staff

Cyclist shows grit after severe accident Article BY DAVID QUICK of The Post and Courier Staff

Daniel Island mom emerges as top female triathlete Article BY DAVID QUICK of The Post and Courier Staff

Nationally ranked triathlete has humble Charleston roots Article BY DAVID QUICK of The Post and Courier Staff

Popularity of city Sprint Triathlon Series continues to soar Article BY DAVID QUICK Of The Post and Courier Staff

2004 CSTS T-Shirt We are proud to announce that this year's T-shirt has been designed by Charleston artist Tate Nation. To view Tate's artwork please visit his website.

CSTS 2004 Race Results:
June 20
July 11
August 1
August 22

CSTS # 1
The first CSTS race this season was a doozy. Great weather, with a little bit of cloud cover, and relatively mild summer temperatures made for a great Sunday morning of racing. There were about 315 registered for the race. Leroy Thomas (Swainsboro, NC) claimed the Open/Elite championship with a great time of 57 minutes, 45 seconds. In the women's Open/Elite Division Tracy Dewitt (Daniel Island, SC) was victorious with a time of 1 hour 6 minutes and 39 seconds.

CSTS # 2
Torrential thunderstorms rolled through the Lowcounty Saturday afternoon slowing down packet pickup and registration but by 6 PM clear skies moved in. Muggy was the word for race conditions on Sunday morning.

Gregg Cromer (Summerville, SC) returned to CSTS action and claimed first place in the Men's Open/Elite Division. His time of 57:30 not only was a PR but eclipsed Leroy Thomas' time in the first race. Gregg ran a spectacular 17:20 finishing 5K and needed it to hold off Vinnie Monseau (Morgantown, WV) with a 17:54 run split and a hard charging David Lyle (Aiken, SC) who ran an amazing 16:31 5K.

Tracy Dewitt (Daniel Island, SC) roared to her second Women's Open/Elite CSTS victory of the season. Her time of 1:05:03 was about 1 and a half minutes faster than her time in CSTS # 1. Nicki Minckler (Hilton Head Island, SC) was second in the Women's Open/Elite Division with a time of 1:08:43.

Notable performances in the July 11 triathlon include 50 year old Rick James (Ladson, SC) capturing his second straight Masters victory. His time of 1:01:51 placed him 5th overall. Fifteen year old open water swim sensation Nick Brittis (Bluffton, SC) with a time of 6:32 was over 45 seconds ahead of the second fastest swim of the day. Women's 25-29 age grouper Mary Shell Zaffino (Mt. Pleasant, SC) had the second fastest women's time of the day in 1:05:29.

CSTS # 3 August 1

With Tropical Storm Alex hovering out in the Atlantic the weather was humid with lots of cloud cover but no rain for the 3rd race in the 2004 Series. Jamie Church from Hilton Head Island captured the Men' Open/Elite Division with a blistering time of 58:36. Jamie came off the bike 15 seconds ahead of Jerry Rothschild who is nursing a sore knee and built a big lead on run with an 18:09 5K. Multiple past winner Jerry finished second and will be back for the finale of the season.

Tracy DeWitt (Daniel Island) captured her 3rd straight CSTS race of the Series. Her time of 1:04:30 was strong enough for 14th overall in Sunday's triathlon. Tracy has established herself as the women to beat this season. Nicky Minckler (Hilton Head Island) finished a strong second again slicing about a minute off her CSTS #2 time (1:07:42).

Once again Rick James, at age 50, was the Master's Champion. His time of 1:01:03 was 4th overall. Rick is looking national caliber with his consistent performances this summer. Jean Toth, 51, (Savannah, GA) won the Women's Masters Division with a time of 1:12:00. Her time placed her 10th overall in the women's field.

Peter West (Hilton Head Island) captured the Clydesdale competition with a time of 1:03:39. This is "Big Daddy's" third consecutive 2004 CSTS victory. Melanie Stuart (Goose Creek) won her second Athena Division of the season with a time of 1:17:20.

The age spread of finishers went from age 11 to age 74. Richard Mandell (Columbia) was the older of the two and John Humphries (Charlotte, NC) the younger but both provided great inspiration.

CSTS # 4 August 22

After more than a week of messy tropical weather, CSTS # 4 was treated to great triathlon weather; partly cloudy, high temperature for the day in the low 80's. In another showdown in the Men's Open/Elite Division between Gregg Cromer (Summerville) and Tom Mather (Mt. Pleasant) it came down to the run with the finish resembling more a 100 meter dash than the last leg of a triathlon.

Gregg won 2 races in the 2003 Series and was gunning for his third last year when Tom ran a 17:12 5K split for the victory. This year Gregg won CSTS # 2 and was aiming for his second victory in traditionally the most competitive race of the season.

Gregg came off the bike with an 8 sec. lead. At the 1 mile mark Tom caught him but Gregg maintained close contact for the next two miles. With 50 yards to go Gregg passed Tom, but Tom caught him at the finish line leaning into the victory with a margin of .33 seconds. Tom's official time was 57:08.33 and Greg's 57:08.66. By far the closest victory in CSTS history. Gregg's 5K split was 17:06 but Tom's fantastic 16:57 provided just the margin he needed to take the victory.

These were the third and fourth times in the 57:00's for the season, and Tom's victory gives him the fastest times in both 2003 and 2004. Not bad for a dude approaching age 47.

The Women's Open/Elite Division was another hotly contested race. Jenny Leiser (Charleston) picked up her first CSTS victory (1:04:58). Nicki Minckler, Hilton Head Island, finished a close second in 1:05:46. This was her third second place finish this season. Jenny took the lead with the 4th fastest (men and women) swim of the day (7:52) and held of Nicki the rest of the way. Jenny started the run with a 15 sec. lead and actually built a cushion on the run of 48 seconds for the victory. She finished 15th overall.

Nancy Thomas continued her strong efforts this season with another Master's victory (1:09:16). Bill Edwards, 49, took his first Master's championship of the Series with a time of 1:02:04. Melanie Stuart (1:16:58) claimed her third consecutive Athena victory of the season. While Kevin Smith claimed his first Clydesdale competition with a time of 1:07:53.

The age of the competitors ranged from 10 to 72. Cathy Parmley, with her determination and joy, provided athletes and spectators a close up glimpse of the beauty and majesty of athletic competition.

It was a great Sunday in the Park.

CSTS 2003 Race Results:
June 15
July 6
July 27
August 10