Santa Rosa Triathlon, Saturday, October 7 Swim 1/3 mile; bike 18 miles, run 3.1 miles
Area participant results
Bruce Moore 1:22:25 First Place 40-44 male Mary Jane Tappen 1:32:39 Master Female George Palmer 1:33:25 First Place 55-59 male Marti Aparicio 1:36:56 Seventh Place Clydesdale 15-39 Larry Johnson 1:41:02 Twenty-second Place 30-34 male Andrew Long 1:44:51 Sixth Place 20-24 male Loranne Ausley 1:49:24 Eighteenth Place 35-39 female Gretchen Sowell 1:54:56 Ninth Place 40-44 female Virginia Robertson 2:06:56 Thirty-seventh Place 35-39 female Paul Gorman 2:20:11 Second Place 65-69 male
Santa Rosa Triathlon was awarded the 1999 best small triathlon of the year. It takes place on Pensacola Beach and closes its entry list at 800 participants. This year's entries were closed at least two months prior to the race with no exceptions. Participants included representatives from 24 different states; ability levels ranged from first timers, serious age-groupers, elite male and female junior and adult divisions, to one 2000 Olympian Silver Medalist, Michellie Jones.
Michellie Jones is sponsored by a company who also co-sponsors this race so participated as a representative of the company and was also able to pick up some of the elite prize money available. She arrived the day before the race and very patiently autographed pictures, posed for pictures with area triathletes who got to wear her silver medal, and more than anything else was very gracious to the mere age-groupers excited just to be in the same race with her. She was the first place elite female, no surprise there, covering the distance in 1:18:52 (the nearest female competitor followed 11 minutes behind). After the race she stood for hours signing more autographs, answering questions, and listening to local triathletes stories. According to Tallahassee participant, George Palmer the Fox, who managed to get a hug and a picture, her bike case is almost as gorgeous as she is.
Racing this time of year is always a little risky due to hurricane season. Fortunately weather conditions, although windy and brisk, were safe to race. There were 10 different waves (starting groups) leaving 4 minutes apart beginning at 7:30 with the final wave, spending way too long shivering on the beach, taking off at 8:06. The water was swim friendly, no large waves or strong currents, with the exception of stinging jelly fish that bumped and prickled you as you swam along. Unfortunately three competitors had to be pulled from the water including one 65 year-old man who died, possibly of a heart attack.
The bike course took you straight east down through the park, very similar to the ride east on St. George Island. There was a strong cross wind with little relief riding out or back. You could see the bikes a head of you constantly leaning to one side. I am always amazed and impressed with participants on heavier bigger bikes riding upright. It is difficult enough riding in strong winds on a light racing bike in an aero position. Those sitting straight up on heavier bikes have to work so much harder. The run course was very flat and fast winding through the neighborhood beach area. Neighbors stood out on the porches and cheered us along.
The post-race celebration included lots of food and drink. The only negative would be the long beer line and the Miami game being viewed in the background. Tallahassee participants did well with much appreciated support from spouses and friends. The crowd, including participants, was very friendly and supportive. This is definitely a race to return to. A good distance and racecourse for all ability levels, from over-serious to just-a-day-at-the-beach serious.