About the author:
Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website."Five Course Records Set in Rhode Island Sri Chinmoy Triathlon". (Press Release). August 7, 1983. Retrieved 2012-10-2. Archive copy at the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.
"The fifth annual running of the Rhode Island Sri Chinmoy Triathlon saw five course records shattered in a field of over 400 contestants. Connecticut's Marc MacIntyre and Massachusetts' Clair McRae both ploughed under their 1982 records by more than ten minutes each, while winner of the masters division, Bill Spinder of Pitsford, NY. crossed the tape in a new 6:32:14. Forty-two year old veterans Michael Kasser of New York City and Kay Tucker of Essex, CT, mother of the youngest finisher, 14 year old Ted Tucker, set new age category records of 5:52:14 and 6:56:30 respectively. The lowered times may be due in part to revisions on the biking course which lessened the amount of hill work required of the bikers and offered improved riding surfaces.
Maneuvering the 1-1/2 mile swim, 60 mile bike ride and 15 mile run like the veteran triathlete that he is, Marc MacIntyre surged over the finish line at the University of Rhode Island in 4:47:26 - more than twenty minutes ahead of New Jerseys' David Petrie, winner of the 1982 Warriors Path Triathlon in Tennessee. Not far behind, placing an incredible 18th overall was 32 year old Claire MaRae, clocking 5:41:19.
The race might have been MacIntyre for the asking if he hadn't had 24-year old George Missailidis of Narragansett, RI to contend with. Second out of the water in 32:28 behind James Cutrone of Brooklyn, NY (31:26), Missailidis took the lead during the transition into the biking segment and opened up a seven minute plus lead on MacIntyre who had emerged from the surf 33rd in a time of 40:13. (Cutrone went on to place a powerful 10th overall in a time of 5:25:05). Testimony to Missailidis' strength as a biker, MacIntyre had only made up three of those seven minutes after 60 miles and 2-1/2 hours of peddling. 'I've never ridden so fast in my life,' said MacIntyre. 'I've couldn't believe I wasn't catching him.'
But running is MacIntyre's ace. Pouring it on, he caught Missailidis three miles into the 15 mile final stretch and headed for home at a 5:52 pace, Missailidis held second place until he was overpowered by David Petrie who had moved up 44 positions from 46th in the swimming to 8th in the biking to 2nd in running. Petrie clocked in second at 5:11:06 and Missailidis finished in 5:15:59.
First woman out of the water was Susan Burt of Niantic, CT, in 36:24, but it was McRae's race all the way once she moved up from 6th woman to first woman during the biking segment. Second place Sally Zimmer of Windsor, CT, who was 8th out of the water, made a great showing, breaking McRae's 1982 course record by 13+ minutes in this, her first triathlon. Zimmer's time was 5:50:17.
MacIntyre, McRae and Petrie are all planning on competing in the Hawaii Iron Man Triathlon this year.
A new addition to this year's event was the Governor's Cup Award, which will be presented in September by Governor Garrahy himself to the first place Rhode Island man and woman. In this inaugural year, the cup went to third place George Missailidis and to Kimberly Walsh of Cranston, RI, 103rd overall finisher with a time of 6:26:28. The Sri Chinmoy Triathlon was designated this year as the official state triathlon of Rhode Island.
Registrants for the triathlon came from over 20 states, including Nevade, Florida, Wisconsin and Texas. Entering the waters at 7:00 am were 425 contestants, 352 of which went the entire distance. Sri Chinmoy was on hand to give out the awards."
Peter Leeds: "Sri Chinmoy: MacIntyre and McRae Inspired Victors," Triathlon Magazine, February 1984.
"The great triathlons, the ones that survive and improve from one year to the next, all have something special about them. The Sri Chinmoy Triathlon has Sri Chinmoy... A marathon runner himself, part of Sri Chinmoy's philosophy stresses attempting feats of great endurance - transcending normal limits. The Sri teaches that the best way to live is to always strive to exceed yourself. 'He who has soulful inspiration is constantly running towards and crying for the Beyond,' states a familiar quote printed on many shirts."
"Triathletes Receive Rhode Island Governor's Cup Award" (Press Release). September 24, 1983. Retrieved 2012-10-2. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, NY.
"The first annual Governor's Cup Award was presented on September 20 by Rhode Island's Governor J.J. Garahy to the top male and female Rhode Island finishers of the August 7 Sri Chinmoy Triathlon. Triathletes George Missailidis of Narragansett and Kimberly Walsh of Cranston met with he Governor in his Providence office to receive the award.
Twenty three year old Missailidis finished the triathlon third overall, covering the 1-1/2 mile swim, 60 mile bike ride and 15 mile run in 5 hours, 14 minutes. Miss Walsh, 24, placed 103rd overall, with a time of 6:26:28, making her the tenth woman in a field of over 400.
The Sri Chinmoy Rhode Island Triathlon, recently designated as the official Rhode island state triathlon, is the oldest triathlon in the east. This was the fifth running of the event."
The Sri Chinmoy RI Triathlon Honored at our Nation's Capital...
Sri Chinmoy Triathlon
