2002 Crawfishman Triathlon
By: John Deshotel
April 28, 2002

The Crawfishman Triathlon held in Mandeville, LA is a very long-standing
event that is a staple of the LA Multisport season. The reason for its
success is the loyal group of directors, volunteers and supporters that turn
out each year to make the event a success. The community of athletes on the
North Shore and New Orleans area are unbelievably friendly and supportive to
those of us who travel to their events, they have always made us feel like
family and it's a pleasure to visit them. Steve & Lori Sperier, Mark &
Kirsti Salvetti, Charlie Hoolihan, Tommy Holland and all the volunteers do a
first class job of putting together the event. There are 5 triathlons & 4
duathlons this season in the Mandeville area alone.  You probably can't find
a city in Southern California with that many events.

The race this year started out a bit tough, big waves from a strong south
wind and low tide in Lake Ponchatrain cut the swim a little short. You
actually had a point where you had to get up and walk for a ways, the water
was about knee deep (I hope they keep that part in for next year). The women
went off in the first wave followed by Men 25-39; the men 24 under + relays
and finally men 40+.  The strong field of women competitors stayed out in
front of the men until the very end of the race. At the Crawfishman, ladies
always get special treatment, just the way it should be.

The bike course left the harbor and took you north on a road that had little
traffic, flat and fast course, out and back to the harbor. The run course is
really a treat along the lakefront under a canopy of oak trees then down a
boulevard in a residential section again mostly shaded and back to the
harbor for the finish where a very large crowd of spectators gathered to
cheer on the participants.

The post race food was excellent as usual crawfish etoufee, red beans,
pasta salad etc. Beer and even bar tenders mixing up margaritas and
cocktails.  Farrell Lebouef had the results posted, complete with transition
splits, by the time you finished eating. The awards are always a handmade
decorative type that are very unique with the crawfish logo on them.

Put this race on your calendar for next year as it will be back again.

John D.