Sports

Panama’s tourism industry was surely boosted by the presence of ESPN during the Portobelo Triathlon, and the event’s stature in the sporting world was certainly raised by the increased number of world class athletes who participated.

Jim Riccitello, already renowned among the world’s triathletes and the holder of the Portobelo Triathlon record from his victory in 2001, shattered his old mark by more than 10 minutes by finishing the course in 2:15:04. Following the 40-year-old Arizona resident in second place were Venezuelan Evencio Geant (2:29:45) and Guatemalan Jerson Gómez (2:32:24).

On the women’s side of the competition, eight-time Hawaiian Triathlon winner Paula Newby-Fraser, a Zimbabwean and the undisputed world’s best female triathlete, won the race with a time of 2:40:29. Second place went to American Todi Ruby (2:51:14) and third to Costa Rican María José Vargas (3:04:44).

The event began with an 1,800-meter swim from Isla Grande to La Guayra, then continued with a 35-kilometer bicycle race and a 10-kilometer run. The athletes told the international press that the Portobelo course is among the world’s most difficult and that the race’s organization is also world-class. Such opinions, and international television coverage, probably mean that the Portobelo Triathlon will continue to increase in stature, bringing attention and needed tourist dollars to Colon province.