# 215 Great Floridian Triathlon in Clermont

Today was my 215th triathlon, the Great Floridian Sprint in Clermont, Florida. I’ve always called this the dark race, because the swim start is right at dawn. With no wind at the start, the water was flat, disturbed only by the people ahead of me. The clear skies brought a light breeze on the bike ride around the lake and into the town’s hills, averaging 16.8 mph (27.1 on a downhill). My run was a bit faster than previous, with 11:11 mile splits. Finishing up a minute faster than September at 1:20:41 brought me Second Place, so I was quite happy. Met Bill Black (and his new hip) helping out in transition and he hopes to be fully recovered in the new year.

# 214 Clermont Sprint Triathlon in September

Today was the last of the four Sommer Sports Sprint Triathlon Series and my 214th tri. In contrast with the previous hot races, the dawn brought a light breeze from the lake and 70’f at the start. The breeze also brought an unwelcome chop on the water, but I’ve learned to adjust to conditions. My swim went well despite a few off-course swimmers, and I headed out on the bike quickly. Plenty of competition on the bike and the hills that make the course so fun. Heading out on the run, I began watching for the two guys I finished third to in the previous races. The unknown fourth man (#205) was someone who had never raced here before. Just before the turn-around, I saw Randall in first and then Richard in second. I pushed hard, looking back, but never saw #205 on the course. After finishing third, I heard over the PA, #205 was over the line, but he was in the Clydesdale Class, so I was third. Of my friends, Teresa Tinsley romped through the women’s field, taking Female Masters OA (and 5th Female OA) and Dawn Lane won Female 60-64. I was surprised to see that my Moulton bike hit 500 miles at the finish in its second full year of racing.

# 213 Clermont Sprint Triathlon in August

It was a good day. After dealing with an on-off sinus infection since Monday, my goal was to just finish the Sommer Sports triathlon today. Instead, I finished third and took 3 minutes after my July time on the same course. Big moon overhead before the dawn and Lake Minneola water temp was 86’f, which is a bit warm. I’m closing on the second-place guy so we’ll see what the next race brings. My friends Teresa Tinsley won Masters Female and Dawn Lane got second in Duathlon Female OA. Another big crowd at the event; Fred Sommer got some great drone photos.

# 212 Clermont Sprint Triathlon in July

Triathlon # 212 today with the moon high overhead in Clermont, Florida! Coming back from a hand injury which kept me back for 6 weeks, happy I placed 3rd out of 4 (4th place DNF was not listed so it shows 3). Lots of friends there; Hammer sponsored Gabby Suver was first Female overall. Teresa Tinsley won her age group as did Dawn Lane. Ricardo Mira Fletcha got some nice pics of me on the run. A great day!

# 211 Great Clermont Triathlon Sprint Duathlon

Great race today at Sommer Sports in Clermont, Florida. I decided to compete in the Sprint Duathlon rather than the Tri as the water temp was 67’f. I met friends Bill Black, Jeff Cuddeback and Dawn Lane in the Daylight-Savings-Time darkness before the races began. At the start I took it easy for the one-mile run, getting ready for the bike leg. Had a great bike ride and caught 2nd place coming into T2. I passed him about 5 minutes into the run and never looked back, finishing at 1:19:19.19 in First, 28th of 39 OA. My friend Teresa Tinsley won her age group in the Tri and picked up the Series Champion Award for 2024. Great day!