Santee State Park Triathlon: Race report April 8, 2006

Our first Category IV Race Series ended with the clap of thunder as many participants finished the race amidst a benign Spring thundershower at the Santee State Park.  Perennial contender Jeff Sosa got off to an early lead in the kayak leg of the race, but Chuck Hiers closed the gap on the mountain bike and secured his lead for good as he raced to his second victory in a row to finish in 2:31:47 as the top finisher overall in Santee and as the Series Champ.  Rebekah Guss claimed the Santee title among females with a time of 3:03:15.  Katie Felton finished as the Series’ top female.  “Coastal X,” Lori Sheridan-Wilson and Brian Wilson recorded the fastest time among relay teams, 2:39:51, and “Dicks and Jane,”  Robert Osborn, Karen Jackson, and Hank Rhame, closed the race as the Series’ First Place Relay Team.   Congratulations go out to all of these participants and all of you who finished the race.  And a heartfelt “Thank You” to Park Director Brad Wise and everyone at the Santee State Park that helped make this event such a smooth one, in spite of the weather.   Also, to Tim Long and his staff from Racescapes.

The race was made interesting from the beginning with the forecast of thunderstorms and strong wind.  Contrary to our planned format, we chose to begin the race with the kayak in an effort to get all participants off of the lake before encountering foul weather conditions.  This “Joker in the deck” yielded some unexpected “splits” as many participants, accustomed to starting our races with the run, got a taste of a bike-to-run transition for the first time. How, or if the end results were affected is anybody’s guess.  It is safe to say, that the winners’ circle was solid and any affected finishing times were probably a bit further down the pipe.  Worth mentioning: Adam Dewitt came on the scene as a contender finishing second place overall, and there were strong performances in Santee from female participants Rebekah Guss, Dawn Grosjean, Lori Sheridan-Wilson, and Lisa Williams.   John Bengston  recorded a respectable time, as did Dan Polon for the second time this year….though I might mention my ugly legs carried me to a finish one place in front of Dan, taking a spot from him since Springfield. (Thanks Dan.)

There were a lot of familiar faces as well as plenty of new ones.  Don and Lisa Hanna (female masters winner),  competitors Dan Kryszcuk, David Blakely, and Jeff Sosa (male masters) all made the trek from NC multiple times this year.  Robert Osborn drove through the night from Atlanta to kick butt for the third time this year in his Epic 18 footer, and the regular Beaufort contingency, Jack Cunningham and Doug Thompson, was there.  Ostensibly M.I.A. were reigning Santee titleholders Dinah Swinehart and Bill Jordan,  (we understand Bill, Chuck really has gotten fast) and Dinah, well, she’s a newlywed!

We had fourteen participants complete the series (names appear at bottom).  Congrats and nice work.  We also had several great sponsors, Outspokin Bicycles, Epic Kayaks, and the Orangeburg Striders. Outspokin, www.outspokinbicycles.com, where you will find all the bike componentry and professional expertise you can handle, can be found on Devine Street in Columbia, Epic Kayak boats and paddles can be found all over the winners’ circle of almost any race that has anything to do with a kayak (and maybe some that don’t!) they have moved to Daniel Island, ph# (843)884-4386. www.epickayaks.com.  The Striders have a great road race coming up this weekend.  Check out their site @ www.orangeburgstriders.com. And…if you’re looking for a coach, call Mike Thompson first @ 843.452.9028.

We already have plans in the works for next year’s series.
Feb. 3 is the date for the Winter Challenge. The date for Hunting Island is currently set for Feb 24,  and the Santee Race will be held March 3.

Race results are posted on our website and @ www.sharksbite.com.

*** Also, please note that due to numerous requests from Jack Cunningham we have agreed to shorten the run to 5 miles next year in Santee!

Check our website for news and other upcoming events, we may have one or two surprises this Summer.

THANKS TO ALL FOR BEING PART OF OUR RACES
YOU ALL KICK BOOTY!

SERIES QUALIFIERS
(competed in all three races)
Chuck Hiers
Katie Felton
Lisa Williams
Heather Peebles
Libby Folk
Dan Kelly
Larry Brown
Robert Osborne
David Blakely
Jeff Sosa
Adam Dewitt
Jack Cunningham
Doug Thompson
Chris Williams