Whatever the sport it appears that
SPEED REIGNS!

Perryville – The 2nd Annual Diamond in the Rough Triathlon took place in Perryville on July 10th and what a race it was. In 2 hours and 52 seconds, Brian Benda, 33, of Parkton, MD won the male overall time, and Marjan Huizing, 36, of Montgomery County won the women’s overall time in 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 55 seconds.

But the real story is what they accomplished in just over 2 hours. While the majority of us complain about walking to keep our hearts healthy, these athletes swam a mile in the Chesapeake Bay. Then they biked 27 miles in a hilly course to Port Deposit, which includes a 7-1/2 % grade climb towards the ‘end’ of the ride. (Does this relate to the grueling Tour de France that Lance Armstrong races?) Their final test was completing a 5-mile run.

The mind-boggling statistic is that nearly 500 men and women participated in this challenging event and triathlon events occur all over the country – and the world – for amateurs and professionals alike. In fact, the Diamond in the Rough Triathlon is an international distance race that is part of the USAT Mid-Atlantic Region Club Championship, as well as the USA Clydesdale & Filly Racing Federation’s Delmarva Regional Triathlon Championship.

With perfect weather, a water temperature that did not require wetsuits, the race was a great success. Hats off to all the athletes! We hope you’ll return to the area and bring lots of friends. And we hope you’ll return to enjoy our communities when you don’t have to work so hard! Congratulations!

Port Deposit – Speed - as in Ragin’ on the River on Sept. 4 and 5, 2004 is the 1st Powerboat Race to take place in Port Deposit. An event that will hopefully triple the population of Port for a couple days will bring excitement that has not been seen in a number of years in our area. Chaired by Tom Knight, representing the Chamber of Commerce, this event will donate a portion of the proceeds from the weekend to the Cecil County Boys & Girls Clubs.

Just think about this:
… The drivers are patiently waiting for the green flag and five-minute cannon…. At about one minute and thirty seconds before the race, the boats will start jockeying for position. … As the electronic clock ticks away the last sixty seconds, you will see some drivers position themselves at or near the inside and some hanging behind to make what is known as a “hole shot.” No matter what technique is used, the object is to cross the starting line when the clock says “0” – running flat out!
(excerpted from Boat Racing 101, Thunder on the Narrows at Kent Island)

Can you hear it? They don’t call it THUNDER for no reason! So get on down to Port. Parking areas and shuttle buses will be available. For $5 general admission (children under 12 free if accompanied by a paying adult) you can enjoy the races, taste the foods from the vendors and even purchase an item or two. “Pit passes” will be available for purchase allowing entry to the area where racers and boats wait between classes. Keep in mind that spectators MUST wear closed-toe shoes to enter the pits.

Of course, throughout the weekend you can enjoy the many restaurants throughout the town while walking the historic community. It’s an event sure to please the speed demon in ya’! See ya there!

For updates, check out: www.portdeposit.com

Cyclist from 2003 Triathlon
furnished by
www.piranha-sports.com