The 24th Annual Sandestin Triathlon was held August 21st 2010 at Sandestin Resort where over 700 elite athletes swam a 1/2 mile in the Gulf of Mexico, biked 20 miles along Scenic Highway 30A, and ran 4 miles through Sandestin.
This triathlon is a favorite to many triathletes and quickly sells out at the maximum 700 athletes. This 2010 edition again was dominated by local triathletes taking the top 3 spots in the Male Overall Category. Go locals! I competed in this event as my first triathlon in 2007 and it is a tough race. It is great to see many of our friends compete in the event and kick some butt. It certainly is great motivation to put your training and fitness to the test on such an excellent sporting venue.
Derek Oskutis from Niceville took the overall win of 1:21:45 over past Sandestin Triathlon winners David Shearon from Panama City Beach and Jim Lefebvre from Fort Walton Beach. Jim has held the course record of 1:14:27 since 1991. Derek Oskutis at the young age of 23 dominated this years event and won by a 7:16 margin over David Shearon age 40.
The Women's overall champion was Caroline Smth from Mandeville, LA with a time of 1:29:27. She set a blistering pace that was only 4 seconds off the men's 3rd place overall and almost 4 minutes faster then second place overall women's finisher Seeley Gutierrez from Tallahassee FL.
The Sandestin Triathlon is one of the most scenic and celebrated Triathlons in the country with the event starting in the sugar white sand beach in front of Sandestin's Finz Beachside Grille. The Emerald Coast is known for its sugar white sand beaches, emerald green waters and some of the best fishing in the world. However, Northwest Florida is one of the top destinations for World Class Athletes who come to our area to complete in the Florida Ironman Triathlon, Santa Rosa Triathlon, Sandestin Triathlon, Seaside Half Marathon and many more elite level endurance events. With our warm water and moderate climate we offer some of the best terrain for endurance athletes.
The Sandestin Triathlon is a USA Traithlon sanctioned event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald coast. To see the results for 2010 and photo of the event CLICK HERE. Check back soon if you are interested in completing in the 2011 Sandestin Triathlon as the event fills up quickly.
