Syracuse.com - Irorman 70.3 Syracuse competition underway at Jamesville Beach Park

[HuntingNY-News]

More than 2,200 participants are competing in the half triathlon competition, which features 1.2 miles of swimming, a 56-mile bike ride and finishing with a 13.1 mile run.

Female pro competitors finish the swim part of their race and head off to the cycling part at the Ironman 70.3 Syracuse half triathlon competition this morning at Jamesville Beach Park.David Figura | [email protected] 

It was 6 a.m. and Christine Hodkinson was at Jamesville Beach Park with a black Sharpie in her hand.

"Body marks? Anyone need body marks?" she asked as a steady steam of triathletes, many carrying water bottles, bicycle pumps and knapsacks, streamed by her toward the bicycle holding area.

"Each athlete must have their race number written on their left arm and their age group on their left calf," she explained.

The Ironman 70.3 Syracuse half triathlon competition kicked at 7 a.m. this morning at the Onondaga County park under sunny skies and a cool breeze. The temperatures, though, are expected to warm up as the morning progresses into the 80s.

More than 2,200 competitors from 40 different states and 20 different countries are competing today -- the most ever in this four-year-old event, according to Ken Hammond, the race director.

The competition features a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. The field features 18 male and nine female professionals, who are competing for the $25,000 in prize money being offered.

Top seeds include Australian native Joe Gambles, who won here last year, and Sweden's Lisa Norden, a silver medalist in the triathlon at last year's Olympics in London.

The majority, though, are in age group categories for each sex. They're competing for plaques and personal bragging rights. The winners, though, in the pro and each age group category will also qualify for the World Ironman 70.3 championships in September in Las Vegas.

Ginny Robbins, 63, of Dewitt, said she entered her first half triathlon at the urging of her friend and running partner, Joan Arno, 61, of Manlius.

"Joan talked me into it. I'm just going to do it real slow and easy," she said. "Joan said, 'Ginny, we're not getting any younger. If we don't do it now -- then when?"

Vince Detata, 35, of New Jersey, reflected the sentiments of many interviewed, particularly the novices.

"I'm not looking at my time. I just think it'd be a good thing if I could complete this thing," he said.

The competitors will be out all morning, and in many cases, into the afternoon competing. The pros are expected to finish in 4 to 5 hours. An awards ceremony is schedule at the park at 3 p.m.

Several athletes boasted colorful, and multiple tattos on their arms or calves, adding a challenge to Hodkinson's pre-race task.

"I just try to go over them and mark the numbers as dark as possible," she said. "In some cases, I'll write on both arms."

I'll be posting again shortly after noon with the results of the pro competition. For more on the event, see the Ironman website.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog