OBSERVER Sports Editor
As Rich Clark was setting up for the first TriDunkirk on Friday night, he looked out onto Lake Erie and knew Saturday was going to be a perfect day for the Triathlon.
"We have been tracking the weather all week," the Score This!!! representative said. "We were setting up (Friday) night and when the sun was going down, there was an unbelievable orange glow. You can't ask for better days."
As 300 participants prepared to compete at 7 a.m., temperatures were in the high-60s and were expected to reach the mid-70s during competition.
"It helps with the athletes," Clark said of the weather. "They get wet suits on it's a nice temperature in the water and we won't need excessive amount of water and ice."
Though it was a perfect day for the event, Clark said it was the support of the community that made it such a successful event.
"When I first heard about Dunkirk, I came out here and thought it was unbelievable," Clark said. "This is a beautiful beach. There is a perfect park across the street and we have the support of the whole community to put on this race. As long as the community will have us back, we are planning on an annual event."
Helping make the event possible was the help of the Dunkirk and Silver Creek police departments as the bike portion of the event took place on Route 5 from Dunkirk to Silver Creek.
See DUNKIRK, Page B2
Score This!!! holds events all over New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Also making Dunkirk an ideal location is the relatively flat surface
"It's actually more (rougher) than people thought," Clark said. "It's a good course for beginners and challenging for more experienced athletes."
The toughest course was the F-1 Intermediate race which consisted of a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike, 10K run, 750m swim, 40K bike and 10K run.
Making triathlons so difficult is the athlete must be competitive in all three phases.
"It depends on the person," Clark said about what phase is more difficult. "We find runners have trouble in the water and swimmers have trouble on the run. To be a good tri-athlete, you have to be good at all three."
Proceeds from the event go to the American Red Cross.