The Pacific Grove Triathlon features one of the most stunning backdrops against which to swim, bike, and run.
Two triathlon's are offered, the Olympic Distance (1.5K/.9 Mile swim, 40K/24.8 Mile bike, 10K/6.2 Mile run) Saturday, and Sprint Distance (.25 Mile swim, 20K bike, 2 Mile sprint) Sunday.
Up early to take in the Saturday's race we were greeted with spectacular weather, clear skies and no wind. Tide was out and so was the kelp. The initial swim, dubbed the "Kelp Crawl" by the participants would be much easier - we say that tongue in cheek.
10 separate waves of participants
made the plunge into the 60 degree waters off Lovers Point before swimming two laps of just under a mile in distance.
Some swimmers would pass their ankle timer to their relay member.
Others would strip off their wet suit, rinse off, locate their bike and gear,
and hit the road cycling
along a breathtaking stretch of Ocean View Boulevard to Fishwife Restaurant at Sunset Drive. Out and back 6.2 miles four times. This will be our route for the 10K on Sunday - once.
After completing the ride, cyclists swap out their bike shoes for running shoes and hit the ground in the opposite direction, running on an equally gorgeous path along Ocean View to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row.
Mark Kolding Starting His Run
This time three laps of a little over four miles each would complete the 6.2 mile run. One of the hardest things about this race is remembering how many laps you have done. Two swim, four bike, three run. Mess any of that up and you have to do over.
Just two hours into the race, 24 year old Mark Kolding from El Cerrito, California finished first for the men. A mere fourteen minutes later, 31 year old Kelly O'mara of San Rafael was the first woman to cross the finish line.
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We were at the Triathlon Saturday for the excitement of such a beautiful event happening in our back yard as well as to support friends. Oscar Gray competed in the 45 - 49 men's age group.
Here he is before the .9 mile swim.
Oscar looks just as refreshed after his Kelp Crawl as before.
Off on his 24.8 mile bike ride - Oscar finished his triathlon at 2.34.07.
Kath Tendler-Valencia was competing as part of the Huslin' Honey relay team. Kath was in charge of the cycling portion...
Huslin' Honey's with Gold Medal
... Kath and the rest of The Huslin' Honey's ages 59, 61, and 68 finished their race in a little over 3 hours and brought home the GOLD!!!
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Though the weather didn't cooperate as well on day two of the Pacific Grove Triathlon,
we were back on Sunday to participate in the 10K with our long time friends from Mountain View, John and Gina.
Team John and Mike took off, leaving Gina and I in the dust. Gina and I quickly became the only ones on the course.
Enjoying the peace and solitude as well as attempting to solve all the worlds problems in an hour and a half,
Gina and I managed to finished a mere 31 minutes after the men at 1:38.
Until next time Happy Adventures!
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For an interactive map and guided walking tour covering many of our tours please be sure to download the GPSmyCity App from the iTunes store. The App covers an extensive library of articles and walking tours from over 470 cities worldwide, and now features articles from Adventures of a Home Town Tourist covering Carmel and Monterey (with more cities on the way).
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