9/21/2019

Ledges To The Lake Adventure Triathlon

Hinckley, Ohio

3.4 mile run, 2 mile kayak, and 9 mile bike.

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:15:48

Overall Place 3rd Place

Division Place:  1st Place

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

This was the 8th year for the Ledges To The Lake Adventure Triathlon and my 5th or 6th time competing in the race.  The race starts with a 3.4 mile run around the lake on the paved trails and hard packed dirt trails.  I found myself with the lead pack of runners which were mainly relay teams and a 3-4 solo runners.  I was the 3rd or 4th solo racer into the kayak.  My 19″3′ Stellar SR Multisport Surfski was a rocket ship compared to the  slower shorter kayaks that most of the racers ahead of me were paddling.  I quickly found myself passing all of the other solo racers and was the first solo kayak to reach the bike transition area.  I didn’t realize at the start of the bike leg that I was currently in first place.  I knew that there were racers ahead of me on the course but I didn’t know that they were all relay teams.  A mile into the bike course I was passed be the eventual overall winner.  A second racer passed me on the bike at mile 5.  I tried to stay with them but both were just too fast on the bike.  I was able to finish 3rd overall and beat my best race time (set a new course PR) by over 3 minutes.  I believe this is my highest overall finish place in any triathlon I have competed in so far.  The race officials only awarded 1st place overall and no 2nd or 3rd place overall so I received an award medal for finishing 1st my age division.  All participants received long sleeve hooded t-shirts which were a fresh twist to the same old race swag.  Cleveland Metroparks once again did a nice job organizing the race.