Marin Triathlon

I guess I must really like sports that test the character and endurance of the athletes; in particular amateur athletes.

On Sunday I had a chance to photograph the second annual Marin Triathlon at McNeer's Beach and China Cove State Park in San Rafael.

Although the event features several world class professional athletes at the top of their game...
...the amazing part of the event is watching the amateur athletes who have spent months of time getting ready for the event and having their family and loved ones nearby the whole time cheering them on. That for me is why I love covering this race.

The festivities started out with a bag piper leading the spectators and athletes to the start of the swim.
Its always a lot of fun visually to see everyone dressed the same in a wet suit entering the water to take part in the 1.5 km swim.
After a desperate scramble out of the freezing bay water...
...the athletes switch to their bicycles to start a punishing 35.4 km bike race with a steep uphill at the start.

Then, as if that was not enough punishment, the athletes have to run a 10 km cross country course race.
But as they get close to the finish line the families are there to take photographs, cheer them on..
Possibly even run with them to the finish line...
Where big hugs await them.
As you can tell I wish I could do what these athletes do. I have modest goals though. For me I just hope to be able to run a 10K or half-marathon soon again. A triathlon will have to wait.

You can view a slideshow of all my images from the triathlon on the Marin IJ Website