The top male master in the St. Anthony's Triathlon on Sunday was St. Petersburg's Danny Nolan. He was fit enough from his recent rampage of cross training to reach the finish line at Vinoy Park in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 43 seconds.
Nolan, 45, arrived at the swim exit stairway in 21 minutes. He stayed at the top of the division after hammering the 40-kilometer bike split in just over the hour mark (1:00:33) and capping that with a 40-minute, 10-kilometer run in the heat.
Nolan has told his friends that he loves training more than racing, even though he has the ability to rise to the occasion in high-profile events such as St. Anthony's, which usually has more national champs competing than some national championships.
But what makes Nolan such an outstanding athlete is that he's likely to turn up anywhere, game for any type of a race.
Modest and softspoken, Nolan won't tell many people that he has participated in Ironman triathlons from Hawaii, to Canada, to Lanzarote. Some weekends, he packs his gear and takes a few training partners to compete in one of the Nissan X-Terra Adventure Races, or maybe an off-road trail run in north Hillsborough County, or perhaps a local USA Cycling criterium. Nolan is among the well-respected local athletes and even feared by area bicycle racers who know his climbing and time-trialing abilities. Several seasons ago, Nolan even dabbled in the Masters of the state mountain-bike series in Ocala and Brooksville, doing quite well in the points series.
His performance at St. Anthony's Triathlon shows that multisport enthusiasts are on the right track with their cross-training methods. TOP LOCALS: Among those at St. Anthony's Triathlon who won their age divisions were Linda Musante, 50, of Tampa, 2:25:14; Rob Skaggs, 37, Tampa, 1:59:30; Dave Rowland, 41, North Redington Beach, 2:08:42; and Jackie Yost, 76, Treasure Island, 3:50:47.
FASTEST BIKE SPLITS: The new and improved course in the St. Anthony's Triathlon proved to be fast, with the fastest athletes squeaking in just under the 1-hour mark for the 40 kilometers.
Ironman champion Joe Bonness, 48, of Naples, won the 45-49 division with a split of 59 minutes, 51 seconds. It was among the day's fastest for amateurs, just topped by Tampa's Rob Skaggs, 32, who rode in at 59:38; and Orlando competitors Marc Bonnet-Eymard, 32, (59:49) a two-time Escape From Fort DeSoto winner; and Stephen Godlove, 15, 59:14.
IRON GENTS: Even before St. Anthony's Triathlon online registration had closed in record time, it became apparent the country's four best male triathletes in the 80-84 division would compete in St. Petersburg.
They were Ironman champion Bill Schweizer, 81, of Owego, N.Y.; retired Southern Illinois journalism professor John Taylor, 82, Atlanta; Ironman champ Charley Futtrell, 83, The Villages; and Belleair physician Charles Lasley, 82. Local athletes say they have seen the adventurous Lasley rushing to the Gulf with his surfboard hanging out of his truck after Gulfster's surf report cameras showed increasing waves on blustery days.
Schweizer won the St. Anthony's division in 3:30:21. He was followed by Taylor, Futtrell and Lasley, respectively.
"I was training to beat Dr. Lasley, but don't tell him," Taylor said. "We really are all good friends and respect each other. Doing exercise like this at any age is good for us." SPECIAL ATHLETE: Yost, 76, was the oldest female competitor in St. Anthony's Triathlon, finishing in 3:50:47 among the cheers of hundreds, including her St. Pete Mad Dog friends. "We truly are fortunate to be able to race like this," Yost said. "We have done 150 triathlons, and I just keep signing Larry and me up for more. We just go and enjoy our friends."
COMING UP: The St. Pete Mad Dogs will be at the 19th annual Madeira Beach Triathlon on May 15-16. The event is part of the Tampa Bay Triathlon Series. Volunteers are needed for Saturday's mini tri for ages 7-10 and 11-and-older. Sunday's adult sprint distance triathlon is a .5-mile swim, 15-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. For information, call 813 818-8255 or go online to www.madbeachtriathlon.com
