Heart shown at TinmanAthletes train for months before rigorous event

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 21, 2009 by Steve Fry

By Steve Fry

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

After almost 12 miles of swimming, bicycling and running, triathlete Kirk Hanks crossed the finish line Saturday morning.

After months of training and a trial run on part of the course, 300 yards of swimming, 8.5 miles of riding and 3.1 miles of running "wasn't bad at all," Hanks said, and he felt "pretty good."

Hanks was one of approximately 700 athletes taking part in the 29th Topeka Tinman Triathlon at Lake Shawnee, said Bill Marshall, owner of KLM Marketing Solutions, which sponsors the Tinman.

Triathletes said it was a little humid, but the temperatures were mild, there was cloud cover instead of a glaring sun, and Lake Shawnee waters were smooth, making the swimming easier.

The inspiration for Hanks, 43, to do the triathlon was his oldest son, Blake, 25.

"My oldest boy did it (last year), and I thought would be fun," Hanks said. "I'll definitely do it again."

The 6-foot-2 Hanks lost about 15 pounds during the four or five months of training to prepare for the triathlon.

"The swimming was the most challenging," Hanks said. "With the biking and running, you can always stop."

Shortly before he finished the triathlon, Hanks ran past his wife, Jeanne, and son, Lukas, 4. Jeanne Hanks took photos of her husband as he ran.

Jennifer Burgoyne, 41, an experienced triathlete from Wichita, thoroughly enjoyed the Tinman.

"It's a blast," she said. "I feel great."

In the summer Burgoyne does three or four events, including half- marathons, 10-kilometer runs and triathlons.

"After you finish your first triathlon, you're hooked," Burgoyne said.

The Tinman had a more serious side for Burgoyne.

"I ran this in memory of my dad," George, she said. "He died three weeks ago."

First-timer Stu Dodson, 33, of Lenexa, had run 20 to 25 miles a week, bicycled 10 to 15 miles a week and swam twice a week for six months to get ready for Saturday.

He said he had to shoehorn in training whenever he had the time.

On Saturday, Dodson finished the events in about an hour.

"I feel good, a lot better than I thought I would," Dodson said.

Marshall, the Tinman organizer, said about 150 athletes took part in the long course, 450 did the short course, and 100 did the duathlon in which athletes who aren't strong swimmers do the bicycling between two stints of running.

Even as the Tinman wound down, handbills about Kids Gotta Tri, an Aug. 1 youth triathlon at Washburn University, were being put under vehicle windshield wipers.

John Mugler and triathlete daughters Elizabeth, 11, and Kathryn, 9, were passing out the handbills. For more information, see kidsgottatri.com.

Steve Fry can be reached

at (785) 295-1206

or steve.fry@cjonline.com.