The Longboat Key Triathlon had 350 participants on Oct. 16.
By
Katie Johns
| 11:32 a.m. October 16, 2016
Longboat Key
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Before the sun had fully risen, triathletes were gathered on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico ready to begin the Longboat Key Triathlon.
About 350 athletes participated in this year’s event. Following the swimming portion, athletes biked from the south end of Longboat to the north end and back before finishing the race with a run along Longboat Club Road.
Men’s overall top finisher Ken Varner, of Port Charlotte, had never run the course before start time on Sunday morning, though he’s been running duathlons for the past four years.
“I don’t get the chance to win overalls often, so when I do, it’s awesome,” Varner said.
The event included an international and sprint triathlon and duathlon, a relay and a 5K.
TDA Global directed the event. Intern Alexandra Ramos said it was cool being behind the scenes. Although she doesn’t participate in triathlons, she still appreciates those who do. She said she was mesmerized by how quickly the triathletes finished the swimming portion.
“Seeing them being able to do that, I was so amazed,” she said.
Carol Inman and Valerie Berger
Doug Buethe, Tina Mohr, Carlo Damiani and Liza Geist of Waterset Tri
Doug and Molly Boesch
Gonzalo Carrizo and Diana Macias
Tess Rosales and Steve Perez
Julie Henry and Jen Osterhoudt
Susan Hahn and Wendy Wiggs
Sharon Belak, Barbara Wojden and Judie Warner
Swimmers take off during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
Jeff and Janet Waddel
Diane and Roland Lajoie
Cengiz Dokumaci and Stacey Underwood
Derrick Wozniak, Stephanie Rodriguez and Tom Scully
Triathletes complete the swimming portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct.16.
Triathletes complete the swimming portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct.16.
Triathletes complete the swimming portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct.16.
Greg Simony of Shelby Township, Mich., starts the biking portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
The Longboat Key Triathlon brought about 350 triathletes to the area on Oct. 16.
Bikers begin their route during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16, 2016.
Photo by Katie Johns
Participants begin the biking portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
Participants begin the biking portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
Lindsey Rowan and Carol Inman
Participants biked the distance of GMD during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
Participants biked the distance of GMD during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16, 2016.
Photo by Katie Johns
Participants turn into the Longboat Key Club to complete the biking portion of the triathlon.
Morgan Watkins, Chris Tiefentahl, Julie Homann and Carl Watkins
Sophie and Daniel Weintroub cheer on Sophie’s father, Emanuel Charron.
Valerie Berger grabs a cup of water as she begins the running portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon.
Michelob Ultra was one of the sponsors of the triathlon.
Michael Mann was one of about 350 participants in the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
Runners approach the end of their first lap during the Longboat Key Triathlon.
Gavin Putnal of Sarasota runs during the Longboat Key Triathlon on Oct. 16.
Barbara Wojdan of Clearwater, Fla., runs down Longboat Club Road during the triathlon.
Participants race down Longboat Club Road during the triathlon.
Greg Simony enjoys some company while running during the Longboat Key Triathlon.
Sarah Smith finished the duathlon sprint in 1:09:52.7.
Participants are all smiles during the running portion of the Longboat Key Triathlon.
Cliff and Maria Myburgh of Englewood, Fla.
Participants were treated to Michelob Ultra when they finished the race.
Female Olympic Triathlon top three finishers Yova Borovska, Rachel Chambers and Kerry Simmons
Duathlon Olympic first, second and third place athletes, Ken Varner, Jim Harwood and Roland Parsons
Top finishers of the women’s duathlon sprint division Sarah Smith, Lissa MacDonald and Patti Connors
Top finisher of the women’s duathlon Olympic division Kristina Varner of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Men’s overall winner Ken Varner of Port Charlotte, Fla.
Top finishers of the women’s duathlon Olympic division Grace Szarko, Holly Chamberlain, and Kylee Bernthisel
Olympic Triathlon top two male finishers Jon Noland, Winston Schoenfeld and sprint triathlon participant Gonzalo Carrizo
