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.

The rumors of Interwest selling its interests in Sandestin Golf and Beach resort has been swirling for the past 12 months. Many suitors had come to the table to purchase the world renowned destination San Destin, but only one made to a final agreement.

In a deal that will not be finalized until March 2010, Becnel is excited about the opportunity in front of him. "This has been a very long process," he said discussing the months of trade-offs. "We actually started concessions last October.”

Intrawest originally bought Sandestin in July 1998 from Malaysia-based Sime Darby Berhad for $130 million. Parties involved in the latest sale were tightlipped on the final price tag.

Intrawest Announces a Definitive Purchase Agreement for Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida

Top Florida Destination Committed to Continuing Excellent Guest Service and Experiences

VANCOUVER, B.C – February 9, 2010 – Intrawest announced a definitive purchase agreement to sell its interests in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort to the Becnel family of Destin, Florida. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed and the transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2010.

The purchase agreement also includes the management contracts for Cottage Rental Agency, a community of beach homes located in Seaside, Florida, and two hotel properties: The Marriott Residence Inn and The Marriott Courtyard, both located at Sandestin.

Once the deal is finalized Intrawest and the Becnel family are committed to work together to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Cottage Rental Agency and the Marriott hotels will continue to operate "business as usual" and the resort management teams will continue their commitment to delivering excellent guest service and experiences.

About The Becnel Family

The Becnel family develops and operates resorts, luxury condominiums, town homes and villas in Destin, Florida. The group is a family run business led by Tom and Damon Becnel, who have previously developed Silver Shells Resort, the Palms of Destin and One Beach Club Drive in Sandestin, Florida.

The Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) is kicking off a new fundraiser event September 18th through the 27th at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Named Cottages for Canines, the fundraiser will be a scaled down version of the ongoing and popular Cottages For Kids, and will have more than 22 canine cottages built by local builders and community partners. We have heard that some of the canine cottages are amazing enough to be a kids playhouse. This is sure to be an incredible event. Come on out and help raise money for an excellent cause.

The community comes together to create one of a kind “Doggie Dreamhouses” to benefit deserving children in Walton and Okaloosa County. These Cottages for Canines will then be on display with “Buy it Now” pricing in The Village of Baytowne Wharf from Friday, September 18 thru Sunday, September 27th, 2009 in conjunction with the Ultimate Air Dog Southern Championship. On the evening of the 27th, under the stars, there will be an auction for any of the “cottages” remaining. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Volunteer Health Network.

Saturday August 22nd 2009 lured over 700 athletes to the beautiful Emerald Coast to swim a half mile in the Gulf of Mexico, cycle 20 miles along Scenic Highway 30A, a run 4 miles through Sandestin’s beach and Bayside community. Proceeds from the event benefited the Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast.

Last year the 22nd annual Sandestin Triathlon had to be canceled due to weather, but this year the event was held with out any inclement weather as races enjoyed the amazing weather of the Emerald Coast.  This years overall male winner was Panama City Beach Local David Shearon with a winning time of 1:26:58. Other notable locals that had great performances were Cole Blair of Santa Rosa Beach as Male Masters Champion and Wendy Ewing of Destin as Female Masters Champion. One of our younger athletes was part of a relay team and she managed to post a swim leg faster than over 90% of the athletes.

All in all it was a great race and everyone enjoyed the event and festivities at the Sandestin Triathlon. Click here for the full results.

Sandestin is an exclusive 2,400-acre gated golf and beach resort located just a few miles west of Scenic Highway 30A. The luxury homes of Sandestin are in 30 distinct neighborhoods, including pockets of villas, town homes, condos, resort homes and hotels. The resort boasts seven miles of Gulf beaches and bay-front property, four championship golf courses, 15 tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 98-slip marina, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, fitness centers, a spa and 65,000 square feet of convention space. The luxury residential neighborhoods of Sandestin contain some of the finest and most exquisite properties in South Walton including the gated bayside neighborhood of Burnt Pine conveniently located near The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Baytowne Marina and Grande Sandestin; Premier luxury condos in Sandestin include Beachside I and II, Southwinds I, II, and III, Westwinds, and the ultimate exclusive luxury condos of the rental-restricted One Beach Club drive tower. Sandestin is a true showcase for South Walton Luxury Homes.