Courtesy: event press release

It seemed appropriate that the inaugural season of the Reebok Women's Triathlon Series- an all-women's triathlon series that has been attracting large groups of first-time triathletes at its events around the country - celebrated its finale in San Diego's Mission Bay, on the very spot where the sport of triathlon began.

Over 550 women descended on fog-shrouded Mission Bay and surrounding South Shores Park on October 19, 2003 to participate in one of the largest all-women's athletic events in San Diego history. A diverse field of elite athletes, nervous novices and women from all walks of life participated in the race's Sprint (long), Super Sprint (short) or relay competitions to celebrate the active lifestyles of today's women while raising funds for research for a cure of ovarian cancer.

Amity Hall, a former UC Berkeley swimmer now living in New York City, was the first competitor out of the water despite navigational difficulties caused by the fog. "I couldn't see the buoys very well," said Hall who completed the .75K swim in 9:39 and managed to maintain her lead over challenger Jennifer Gilbert through the entire 20K bike leg and a half mile into the 5K run. "I started to cramp up in the run and that's when I lost the lead, said Hall. Jennifer Gilbert, a 30-year-old Reebok- sponsored pro triathlete who was hot on Hall's heels throughout much of the race passed Hall one half mile into the run and led the race for about 7 minutes until Hall reclaimed her stride and the lead. Hall won the Sprint race in 1:09:43 and Gilbert followed in 1:10:31. Kathryn Shobe was third in 1:12:12.

The Super Sprint distance was won by superbly-fit 13-year old Brooke Penney of Vista, CA. Penney, a high school freshman, cross-country runner and club swimmer who finished the 375K swim, 10K bike and 2.5K run in 39:33. Christine Darlak followed in 42:37 and Katherine Blackwood was third in 42:51.

Not everybody in the race was motivated by competition alone. Approximately 55% of the participants were first-time triathletes who were drawn to the race by its unintimidating distances, supportive volunteers and all-women's format. Some participants were just happy to be there, period. Peggy Stevens, a 47-year old ovarian cancer survivor from Visilia, CA, finished the Sprint course in 1:39:06. "I almost cried when crossing the finish line," said Stevens. "It was very emotional and overwhelming to be part of an event that benefited research for a cure for ovarian cancer."

The event weekend also included the Reebok MultiSport Experience - a free event that included clinics on training and nutrition, product demonstrations and bargains on shoes, gear & apparel. The Experience was also the site of course talks, race packet pick-up and race registration.

San Diego was the final stop in the four-city Reebok Women's Triathlon Series, which included stops in Naperville, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Due to the overwhelming success of the Series, Reebok plans to continue and expand the Series in 2004.

The Reebok Women's Triathlon Series is sponsored nationally by Reebok, Baker's Breakfast Cookies, Gatorade, John Cobb's Bicycle Sports, Multisports.com, Propel, Triathlete Magazine and TYR.

For complete results or more information log onto www.ReebokWomensTriathlon.com