As many as 300 athletes compete in Tri the Pee Dee triathlon

Competitors in the Tri the Pee Dee triathlon head into the water for the swim leg of the Swim, Bike, Run competition which was held Saturday at Emerald Lake in Florence.

By: Jamie Rogers | SCNow
Published: July 12, 2008

FLORENCE — Novice and seasoned athletes alike put their abilities to the ultimate test of strength, discipline and endurance Saturday during the 7th annual Tri the Pee Dee Triathlon in Florence.

In the dense morning fog that gathered around Emerald Lake — a privately-owned body of water likely named for its brilliant shade of green — a crowd of about 300 competitors stretched their muscles and prepared their minds for the challenge ahead.

Individuals or rely teams had the task of completing a 700-meter swim, a 25-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run, said Robin Parker, director of fitness at the Fitness Forum, which hosted the event.
Florence resident Bob Johnson said his son Chris was up to the challenge.

He’s done at least 12 triathlons in the past five years and recently participated in the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, Tish Johnson, Chris’ mother, said.

“He’s just involved in it and we are, too,” Bob Johnson said. “I think he’s best on the bike, his times are very, very good. Everything he’s participated in we’ve supported .... this is just a continuation of his athletic career and we really, really enjoy it.”

Tish Johnson and her son’s wife, Farhat, were among the many gathered along the banks of the lake, cheering competitors on as they exited the water.

The two had a strategy to make sure Chris Johnson heard their support among the many cheers— sleigh bells.

“We want to make sure he knows our sound,” Tish Johnson said.

Tri the Pee Dee was an event for everyone, no matter their skill level, Parker said.

“You don’t have to be a super athlete to do this,” she said. “We’ve had someone as young as 10 compete.”

Athletes start the race at different times according to their skill level and age, Parker said.

Saturday’s triathlon was the first for 15-year-old Jared Ray of Evans, Ga.

He completed the course in an hour and 30 minutes, Ray said.

“The running is probably my weakest element, but, basically, I just thought of it as three, one-mile runs. I thought of it as three loops around the lake I just swam in.”

Charleston resident Marshall Wakat, 67, said he was the oldest man in the competition.

“I’ve been doing it for 20 years; this is my ninth triathlon this season,” he said. “I’m the oldest person here, so anybody I run by is a bonus.”