Gulf Coast Triathlon readies for 21st annual season starter - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 05-06-2003, 09:45 PM

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (May 2, 2003) Operation Enduring Athletes goes into action this coming Saturday, as hotshot aero-jockeys such as Spencer Smith (GBR), Dave Harju (CAN), Peter Kotland (USA), and Simon Malo, 2002 winner Karen Holloway (USA), Marie Danais (CAN), Lucia Kühner (GER), and Lara Shaw, among others, take to the surf, launching a fury of speed and wow. Gulf Coast Triathlon’s 1,900 triathletes representing 36 states and 15 nations, will take on the predicted 74-degree Gulf of Mexico waters and 80-degree Florida heat in what for many of them will be their first race of the season.

Among the other athletes competing for their share of the $7,500 prize purse are Luc Morin (CAN), Scott Duprex (USA), Peter Traylor, (USA) George Newsome and rookie Darin Shearer (USA), Kim Loeffler (USA), Sara McCarney and Sara Shrubb.

“The Gulf Coastal weather, white sands, true-blue water, and the feeling you get when you race here, just evokes ‘summer’s here’ feelings,” said Shelley Bramblett, race director. “Panama City Beach looks forward to the athletes’ arrival every bit as much as the athletes do.” The 1.2- mile swim has varied from calm to high surf, which gets athletes ready to hammer the pancake-flat, 56-mile cycle. The half-marathon run (13.1 miles) is an out-and-back, which takes athletes through St. Andrew’s State Park’s scenic white sand dunes and saw grasses.

Run-course standout Kotland, a perennial at both the half-iron and Ironman races here, said, "GCT has been always my season opener. It's a great race with home-like atmosphere and a very relaxed feel to it. I use is as my benchmark to see where I'm at, and compare my fitness to the previous years."

Kühner, popular with amateur athletes, also knows the course quite well, having raced GCT and Ironman Florida numerous times. “GCT is the nicest way to start the season and totally worth the traveling to get there,” she said, speaking from Germany. “It’s a fast course, perfectly managed, and I get to see many friends for the first time since last year.” She arrives early this week.

“I’m from Vermont and it’s still pretty cold up here, but I love racing in the heat,” said Loeffler, another GCT and IMFLA veteran, who knows the half-iron distance race might be a cooker.

Gulf Coast Triathlon, a non-profit event, this year raised $28,000, an increase since last year even as the economy continues to struggle. Part of athletes’ entry monies go to the Panama City Marine Institute, Panama City Beach Cops-n-Kids, Bay County Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, Friends of the St. Andrews State Park, and the Panama City Swim Team.

The pre-race carbo-loading feasts – Friday pancake breakfast and beachside pasta dinner – are only a part of the weekend-long festivities surrounding the race. The three-day sports exposition, Friday afternoon seminars, and Saturday night post-race dinner and party at the famous Spinnaker nightclub, are all included in athletes’ entry fees. PCB’s season-launching triathlon weekend has been called the sport’s hardest fought race, biggest party, and best value.

GCT’s key sponsors include Dragon Sports Bicycle and Tri Shop (official swim and bike courses sponsor), Boardwalk Beach Resort (host site), Gatorade, Fig Newtons, Tyr Sport, Clif Bar, Bay Medical SportsCare, and Nextel, all of which are leaders in their respective categories.

Source: Press Release