Portobelo Triathlon goes world-class
text & captions by Emily Zhukov, photos by Pat Alvarado
The Samsung Portobelo International Triathlon marked the fourth year that
the Atlantic coastal towns of Portobelo and La Guaira felt the spinning wheels
and flying feet of the world’s fittest men and women. This year, Ironman
founders and Portobelo residents John and Judy Collins invited several international
elite triathletes to participate, including twice Ironman champ Scott Tinley.
Collins developed the ex-terra course with his wife Judy. Both sexagenarians
participated in the race on March 18, which included a 1660-meter ocean swim,
a 44-kilometer off-road bike course and an 11-kilometer trail run.The event
was particularly colorful this year, as it coincided with Portobelo’s spectacular
congo festival. Lycra sports gear mingled with diablito masks and costumes amids
the 17tth century ruins, which were festooned with bright sponsor banners and
congo flags.
On our cover we show Mary Ellen Powers cooling down after finishing
second in the elite femail category. Now a professional triathlete, she has
been active in sports since she was six and was a swimmer before taking up the
triathlon. She encourages women to practice sports as a way to build self-esteem.
Complete results are on the Internet at http://www.newworldeventspam.com.
For more photos and coverage of Portobelo Day celebrations on March 18, including
the Triathlon, see the travel section of this issue.
click on the images below for larger version
