Downtown St. Petersburg transformed into a waterfront race course throughout the weekend of April 26-27th as the St. Anthony’s Triathlon returned to the city, drawing nearly 3,400 athletes and spectators from Vinoy Park to the heart of downtown.
Before most of St. Pete had poured their first coffee, competitors were already in the water along the downtown waterfront, with waves of athletes entering Tampa Bay as the sun rose over the skyline. For those already out for a morning stroll along Beach Drive or settling in for breakfast at one of the waterfront restaurants, the race unfolded right outside the window.
The course wound through closed downtown streets and along the bay, making the city itself part of the race. Athletes completed an open-water swim along the waterfront, a fast-paced bike leg through downtown roads and a scenic run lined with spectators who turned out regardless of whether they knew a single participant. Vinoy Park served as the event hub, hosting a sports and fitness expo, live entertainment and a post-race celebration that drew crowds through mid-morning as finishers crossed the line.
It is the kind of event that has come to define St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront, where the calendar brings a steady rotation of races, festivals and gatherings that fill Beach Drive and the surrounding streets with energy throughout the year.
Sam Appleton, an Australian based in Boulder, Colo., won the men’s professional race in 1:44:36, and Annie Fuller of Tucson, Ariz., took the women’s title in 1:57:16. Both were first-time St. Anthony’s winners. Fuller, who battled through foot surgery and a slipped disc in the months leading up to the race, crossed the finish line in tears. “This is my favorite race,” she said. “They take care of us here and it’s so much fun.”
The weekend opened Saturday with the Meek & Mighty Triathlon for youth and novice adults, including eight Girl Scout Brownies from St. Paul’s Catholic School who completed the course together carrying a sign that read “Powered by Thin Mints,” joined by roughly 700 athletes across the youth and novice field.
St. Anthony’s Triathlon is operated by a nonprofit organization, with proceeds supporting health programs at St. Anthony’s Hospital, part of the BayCare health system. Race Director Patrick McGee credited the community for the event’s staying power. “The unwavering support from our community and the triathlon community help make this event better each year,” he said.
Dates for the 44th St. Anthony’s Triathlon will be announced soon.
