L.A. TRIATHLON: A LONG RIDE FOR THE RUNNER-UP AUSTRALIANS RULE AT L.A. TRIATHLON.Byline: ROMAN VEYTSMAN Special to the Daily News Craig Walton Craig Walton (born October 10, 1975 in Ulverstone, Tasmania) is an athlete from Australia, who competes in triathlon. Walton competed at the first Olympic triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He took twenty-seventh place with a total time of 1:50:57.66. was the picture of athleticism and health. The winner of the L.A. Triathlon in 2002 and 2003, Walton was at the top of his sport. But about three years ago, the Australian was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpesvirus that is the major cause of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with a number of cancers, particularly lymphomas in immunosuppressed persons, including persons with AIDS. , a disease of the immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. that almost forced him to give up racing and ponder retirement. On Sunday, less than a dozen races into his grueling comeback, Walton finished second in the L.A. Triathlon, just six seconds behind winner Greg Bennett Greg Bennett may refer to:
During his rehabilitation, Walton tried to get up and run, train on the bike and jump in the water, and nearly 30 times his body failed him. "I tried to do it and then said, 'Naw it's not worth it,'" Walton said. "And then two weeks later I'm back trying again, and then sick, it's just up and down like a yo-yo." Now, with the disease finally in the backdrop, a healthy Walton sits in second in the Life Time Fitness Triathlon The Life Time Fitness Triathlon is a triathlon race held annually in Minneapolis MN. An Olympic Distance length course winds its way through the city, drafting is not permitted. point standings. "You're used to feeling strong and healthy, and then you're stuck in a bedroom for four weeks with no sunlight, it's definitely something that strikes you mentally and physically," Walton said. "It's just nice to be out in the sun here in L.A." Walton, whose strong suits are the bike and the swim, couldn't hold off Bennett -- who finished in 1:51:49 -- in the 6.2-mile run, the final leg of the event. Bennett says he "figured it out" three years ago. That's when he began not just participating in the triathlon tour but also coaching. By training his wife, Laura, who is also a triathlete tri·ath·lete n. One who competes in a triathlon. , Bennett became a "student of the sport." This season Bennett has become unstoppable, winning the first four events of the triathlon series. If he wins the final stop in Dallas, he will walk away with a $300,000 super bonus along with $208,000 for winning the point standings and individual events. "If you could make $300,000 in one event, wouldn't you feel the pressure," Bennett said with a laugh. With Walton getting stronger by the race, Bennett might have a tougher time walking away with the cash. If anyone was to take it away, though, Bennett would want it to be his mate. "I felt for him, but at the same time he's come good, he's come strong, he's got his head back into it," Bennett said. "I want him to win one of these races, but I can't afford to let him do it." Fellow Aussie Emma Snowsill Emma Snowsill (born June 15, 1981 on the Gold Coast, Queensland) is an Australian professional triathlete and multiple World Champion and Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist. She is widely regarded as the greatest female triathlete of her generation and one of the greatest of all time. won the women's race by almost three minutes "Three Minutes" is the 46th episode of Lost. It is the twenty-second episode of the second season. The episode was directed by Stephen Williams, and written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. It first aired on May 17, 2006 on ABC. , finishing with a time of 2:00:45. She has won three of the four races. The top local was Venice Beach resident Chris Foster, a former Penn State runner who began training in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, two years ago. The 24-year-old, who had never competed seriously in cycling or swimming until his move, finished ninth. "Mentally, it's more fun," Foster said. "Just when you start to get tired of biking, go running; or whenever you get tired of running, do the other one." In all more than 2,700 participants took part in the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. , with 70 percent competing in the Olympic distance, which consists of a 0.9-mile swim at Venice Beach, a 24-mile bike ride from from Venice Boulevard to Pico and Gilbert Lindsay Gilbert Lindsay (d. 1990) served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1963 until 1990, becoming one of the most powerful and respected African-American political figures in city politics. Several public facilities such as plazas and parks are named in his honor. Drive, and a 6.2-mile run to Staples Center. The oldest male was 84-year-old Bill Bell from Indian Wells, while the youngest were 14-year olds Nick Kinnon from Hermosa Beach and Brandon Nguyen from Palos Verdes. The oldest female to participate in the Olympic distance was 64-year-old Amy Galbrith of Venice Beach. She started doing the triathlon four years ago because the race went by her house. The top local on the women's side was Santa Monica resident Jenna Shoemaker, who finished 13th. dnlasports@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Emma Showsill, front, and Julie Dibens, race neck-and-neck past the Disney Concert Hall on Sunday in downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or during the L.A. Triathlon. Defending champion Snowsill went on to win the women's race. (2 -- color) The men take to the ocean at the beginning of the triathlon at 6:45 a.m. at Venice Beach. (3 -- color) Australian Craig Walton, who finished second and first in 2002 and 2003, respectively, races up Grand Avenue. He is coming back from a battle with the Epstein-Barr virus. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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