7/17/2022
Lake Metro Parks Pirate Triathlon
Fairport Harbor, Ohio
2K Kayak, 20K Bike, and 5K Run
Scott Orlando
Finish Time 1:22:24
Overall Place: 3rd Place
Division Place: 1st Place
Veronica Neubert
Finish Time: 1:30:20
Overall Place: 10th Place
Division Place 2nd Place Overall Female and 1st Place In Age Division
Russ Neubert
Finish Time: 1:31:18
Overall Place: 11th Place
Division Place: 3rd Place:
Race Recap By Scott Orlando:
This was my first time competing in the Fairport Harbor Triathlon since 2019. The 2020 race was cancelled and illness kept me from competing last year so I was eager to get back to this race. This race usually has a large field because it offers both a swim and paddle triathlon. The paddle triathlon field was smaller this year compared to years past but there was still plenty of competition in the 2K kayak, 20K bike, and 5K run race. With storms threatening all night and into the morning I chose to paddle my Stellar S16 Multi Sport sit in kayak instead of my faster Stellar SR or Stellar S18 surf ski. Paddling parallel to the waves in a surf ski can create stability issues so I felt the more stable Stellar S16 would be a safer option. There were several top competitors that chose to paddle surf skis. I had a clean start and surprisingly I was able to keep pace with them. I finished the 2K kayak just 30-45 seconds behind the fastest kayakers. I was the fifth kayak out of the water behind two relay team kayakers and two solo competitors. My first transition was deliberate and went well. I wasn’t super fast in transition but I also had little wasted effort or time. Other then the hill out of the beach park area the bike course is pretty flat. I am only average on the bike and ended up getting passed by a few racers. By this time the course was a mix of swim and kayak racers so it was hard to know who you were really competing against. After a decent bike leg it was back to transition for the run. Another good but not excellent transition and I was off for the 5K run. The run starts with a steep hill which takes your lungs and legs away. Experience at this race taught me to manage the hill not attack it so I kept an easy pace up the hill looking to recover at the top. It took about a half mile to settle into my run cadence where I started making up time on other racers. I passed several swim triathlon racers and two known paddle triathlon racers. At this point I knew I was close to being one of the top paddle triathlon finishers. I pushed hard and increased my pace catching up to another runner who I didn’t know which race he was competing in so I pushed harder and caught him. With about a half mile to go I passed him. I think he tried to run with me but I heard him behind me give out a gasp and I knew I had broken him and he would not challenge me. I finished the run with negative splits for all 3 miles. Not knowing where I place I headed to the timing station and entered my bib number. I was pleased to see I had finished 3rd overall and 1st in my age division. I was even 2 minutes faster then my 2019 finish time. 3rd place overall was me best result ever at this race. The last runner I passed did happen to be in the paddle triathlon so I was happy I beat him. The race did not give out awards for top 3 overall so I received a trophy for winning my age division. The race was well organized by Lake Metro Parks. Participants received pirate themed tech shirts and finisher medals. I also won a prize of a tire inflator kit which was a bonus. Team ER member Veronica Neubert walked away with a trophy for fastest female kayaker and for winning her age group. Russ Neubert also went home with a trophy for 3rd place in his division. It was a great day of racing and seeing a lot of friendly familiar faces. The rain held off long enough for everyone to finish and for awards to be presented.