BERLIN – Some 450 racers will ascend on Chincoteague Bay on Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. for the 8th Annual Osprey Sprint Triathlon sponsored by the Coastal Bays Program. A 1,000-strong crowd will be on hand and over 100 volunteers will be essential in helping to dispense water, direct traffic, manage the course, and set up displays.
The program’s largest annual fundraiser, the sprint distance triathlon includes a half-mile swim in Chincoteague Bay, a 15.2-mile bike course and a 3.1-mile run on the roads by Public Landing. The course meanders through the bucolic countryside of southern Worcester County across from Assateague Island.
Proceeds from entrance fees and sponsorships raise money for the Coastal Bays Foundation. Last year the event brought in more than $30,000 thanks mostly to local sponsors. This year again sponsors and volunteers are needed to make the event a success. A matching fund campaign this year means every $1 raised will become $3 thanks to a generous donor.
Last year’s finishers included a duo tied together at the wrist — Daniel Moore and Kevin McGowan. McGowan, 48, from Clarksville, Md., is blind. Both were connected by rope during the swim and run, and they rode a tandem bike on the cycling route. They finished ahead of 67 other racers.
The top male finisher, Derek Oskutis, 19, from Annapolis, Md., finished with a time of 1:02:34, shattering the old record by some six minutes. He was followed by John Dubiel also of Annapolis and Matias Palavecino from Washington, DC.
In the women’s category, Melissa Hough, 20, of Annapolis, finished first at 1:17:10. Christina Lewis of Windsor Mill, Md. took second and Mindy Bucey of Westminster took third.
The oldest male finisher last year was 75-year-old John Meckley from Newport News Va. who squeaked by 74-year-old Bud Schlosser from Dover, Pa., with a time of 2:14:41. Margaret Regina, 68, from Ocean Pines, was the oldest female finisher. Thirteen people over the age of 60 finished the race.
Sponsors include Fish Tales, Bahia Marina, M&T Bank, Hi-Tide Marine, Acre Mortgage, The Mansion House Bed and Breakfast, Worcester County, Ocean City Chiropractic Clinic, Morgan Stanley, Lower Shore Masonry, Hall’s Seafood Restaurant, Decatur Soccer, Runners World, MD State Highway Administration, Ocean City Greene Turtle, Pepsi, Phillips by the Sea, Beth Gismondi at Allstate Insurance, Barcoding Inc., and the US Lifesaving Association.
To become a sponsor or to volunteer call 410-213-2297 or e-mail her at [email protected]. Sign up to race at www.osprey-sprint.com