Local athletes take to triathlon circuit

Area triathletes and runners have been busy over the past few weeks competing in number of events across South Texas.

Couples Triathlon

The Couples Triathlon was held on July 15 in Austin. The event consisted of an 800-meter swim, an 11-mile bike ride, and a three-mile run.

This event allows participants to be a part of a two-person team in one of several groups. The ages of the two-participant teams are then combined to put them into an age category.

There is also an "individual" category for those not participating as part of a team.

Three Victorians competed in the individual category. Joe Bratton, 1:21:11, finished 17th overall, Ashley Leita, 1:40:07, was nineth and Lori Caballero, 1:58:23, finished 24th.

Locals competing in the coupled division are as follows: Denise Tomanek, Friends Females 5th (2:47:11); Crystal Cantu, Relatives 3rd (3:23:39); Tyler Bollman, Parent & Child 5th (3:05); John Klemczyk, Mixed Friends 17th (3:11:24); Shayne Bollman, Parent & Child 5th (3:05); Natalie Bayarena, Married, 30th (3:21:31); Ofelia Elizondo, Friends Mixed, 17th (3:11:24); David Bayarena, Married, 30th (3:21:31); Brandee Bratton, Relatives, 5th (3:40:41); Gunner Hobbs, Relatives, 5th (3:40:41); Tressa Story, Relatives, 3rd (3:23:39).

TriWaco Triathlon

The TriWaco Olympic and Sprint triathlons were held over this past weekend.

In the Olympic distance event(1500-meter swim, 25-mile bike, six-mile run), the bike was shortened to a 20K due to rain.

There were 370 total competitors in the Olympic division with 246 men, with an average finish time of 2:09 and 124 women with an average finish time of 2:24.

Matthew Wickham was the top finisher from the area in the Olympic distance event with his fourthplace finish in the 50-54 age group with a time of 1:56:32. Leana Elliott finished seventh in the 35-39 age division with a time of 2:10:34. Jeffrey Cass placed 23rd in the 50-54 age division with a time of 2:46:29.

In the sprint division, Amber Smolik made it onto the podium with a third place finish in the 25-29 age division. She posted a time of 1:15:38.

Lee Keeling, competing in his first triathlon, finished in 29th in the 50-54 age division with a time of 1:45:44. Ellie Keeling finished in 16th in the 20-24 age division with a time of 1:57:45.

Toughest 10 K in Texas

John Bednarczyk traveled to Lampasas to compete in a 10K over the weekend. He finished in seventh place in the 40-44 age division with his time of 55:20.

Fit4U Youth Triathlon Camp and Mini Triathlon

There will be a youth triathlon camp and mini triathlon next week, with the swimming portion to be done at the VISD aquatics center and the running and biking portions taking place around the Memorial Stadium track complex.

Fit4U and the Victoria Triathlon Club will be conducting the camp and the mini triathlon. For more information contact Missy Janzow at janzowml@yahoo.com

Missy Janzow received her B.S. in Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University and owns Fit4U, a personalized coaching and nutrition business that serves to train the novice or seasoned triathlete or runner. You can reach her with your questions at janzowml@yahoo.com.