Diamond in the Rough Triathlon was held on Saturday, July 10, 2004 in Perryville, Maryland.   In addition to providing plenty of individual competition for professional and age group athletes, this international distance race served as both the USAT Mid-Atlantic Region Club Championship, as well as the USA Clydesdale & Filly Racing Federation's Delmarva Regional Triathlon Championship.

The overall winners of the race were age group triathlete Brian Benda (Parkton, Md.) in the men's race and professional triathlete Marjan Huizing   (Montgomery, Md.) in the women's race.   In the Club Championship race, the Baltimore Area Triathlon Club successfully defended its title from 2003, and repeated as Club Champions.  

Diamond in the Rough is known for its hilly, technical 27 mile bike course, which includes a 7 ½ % grade climb at mile 22.   As an added twist, water temperatures reached 79.5 degrees in the Chesapeake Bay, precluding athletes from wearing a wetsuit if they wished to be officially scored in the race.

Diamond in the Rough Triathlon is part of the Greater Atlantic Multisport Series, a series of six triathlon and duathlon races held throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Series participants are eligible to win a   number of prizes, including a cash purse at each Series event,   an all-expense paid trip for two to Brazil plus a free entry into 2005 Ironman Brazil, a free Computrainer, and a free Endless Pool.   Series participant Mimi Cooper won a free Cannondale Ironman bike frame at Diamond in the Rough by most accurately predicting professional triathlete Ken Glah's bike split.   For more information on how to register for the Greater Atlantic Multisport Series, please visit www.piranha-sports.com.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH TRIATHLON

Perryville, Maryland

July 10, 2004

1 mile swim/27 mile bike/5 mile run

TOP 5 MALE FINISHERS:

Brian Benda, Parkton, MD                             2:00:52

Stephen Smith, Reston, VA                            2:01:20

David Glover, Brambleton, VA                 2:03:08

John Hartpence, Carlisle, PA                       2:04:18

Ken Glah, West Chester, PA                       2:04:22

TOP 5 FEMALE FINISHERS:

Marjan Huizing, Montgomery, MD               2:13:55

Hope Hall, Ashburn, VA                                               2:17:34

Stacy Kawarcki, Baltimore, MD                       2:19:06

Elizabeth Good, Towson, MD                              2:19:48

Pamela Morris, Bethesda, MD                           2:19:53

Complete results are available at www.piranha-sports.com.