Team Paragon had over 30 athletes racing this past weekend in Waco, Texas for the Ironman 70.3, which made us the third largest triathlon club competing in the event. [Ironman updated their club participants from the race on the 29th, listing us as third. Previously, we posted that Paragon Training was first or second in number of competitors]. With numerous first-timers and many more returners, it is an achievement for the team to celebrate. Paragon Training will move from Division V to Division IV (clubs with 26-75 athletes) at the start of the new year. That means more teammates to cheer each other on! And it means more competition from other clubs. Of all 42 clubs at Ironman 70.3 Waco, Paragon Training won 3rd place!
Of special note this weekend, Mark Saroni went home with a win to finish off his season. He was the first overall age grouper, and he even passed up several male pros. Mark finished in a time of 4:17:36.
It was an exciting Sunday watching so many of our team members racing. Eight of our athletes completed their first 70.3! One first-timer was Tiffany Tabourne, also a UTSA triathlon club member. Tiffany was leading for most of the race and finished with 2nd in her age group! Her performance also qualified her for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 2020! So far, we have Tiffany, Mark, and Diana Ruderman going to the race in New Zealand next fall.
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One of my favorite aspects of the course was the bridge finish. Spectators lined the bridge and crowded in close for high-fives with the finishing competitors. We parted as each athlete came through, the Ironman finish arch coming into view for them. I hope it was as exhilarating for the athletes as it was for me as a spectator. It was a unique finish line experience that would lead me to sign up for next year's race. Thank you to all of the team members that cheered and spectated throughout the day!
Saturday, October 26: Martindale Triathlon
Robin Golden - Relay
Sunday, October 27: Ironman 70.3 Waco
Beatriz Gamboa Salvat
Paul Wilson
Ildar Mannapov
Carlos Torres
Pablo Bueno
Mark Saroni
Agustin Salvat
Tom Willmott
Isaiah York
Jose Vaquedano
Alfonso Campa
Elvia Rodriguez
Alberto Rodriguez
Austin Sobczak
Justin Nix
Arthur Nix
Dave Koch
William Nix
Michael Nix
Nikki Cavazos
Jazzy Kaur
Rinat Mannapov - Relay
Nadia Mannapova - Relay
Andrew Joy - Relay
Valerie Lozano
Tiffany Tabourne
Evan Landez
Bryan Robles
Carlos Velez
Paul Woody
Emily White
Sunday, October 27: Marine Corps Marathon
Sarah Rasco
Sunday, October 27: Xterra World Championship
Jason McIntyre
Make sure to send your pictures from training and racing to: racing@paragontraining.org so we can showcase all the rad stuff you guys do.
San Antonio Triathlon Club - San Antonio Triathlon Coach