By Pete Williams
Heading into the water for the FIT
It’s tough to think of a more beautiful triathlon location than Siesta Key Beach, the barrier island off the coast of Sarasota. Between the Gulf swim, bike course that passes some stunning high-end real estate and a run on packed sand, it’s one of the state’s more popular tri destinations.
On Saturday, May 14, Siesta Key hosts the seventh-annual Florida International Triathlon. Hosted by the Sarasota Storm Tri Club, it features sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, along with a duathlon. We spoke with Jackie Miller, a USAT-certified coach and one of the race organizers, on The Fitness Buff Show last week. You can listen to that interview HERE.
Name of Race: Florida International Triathlon
History: The race began in 2005 as the Sharks Classic but was renamed in 2010. The Sarasota Storm Tri Club is not to be confused with the Sarasota YMCA Sharks, the powerhouse youth swim club that puts on a triathlon in Siesta Key in October.
Format: Sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons, as well as a duathlon. The sprint is a longer event as sprint tris go with a half-mile swim, 13-mile bike and 5K run. The duathlon consists of a 1-mile run, 13-mile bike, and 5K run.
Amenities: T-shirts, postrace awards and food, expo on Friday from noon to 7 p.m.
Signature Features: Beautiful half-mile swim in generally calm water, run on packed sand beach
Projected Turnout: 750 for the three events combined
Cost: $85 for sprint triathlon or duathlon through May 10; $125 for international triathlon through May 10
Sign-Up: Via IMAthlete.com
