Steamboat Classic makes changes, gets chippy

~ Chip timing and a free clinic are part of the new wrinkles for the 22nd annual event.

The 22nd annual Steamboat Classic Triathlon will offer a few new wrinkles this year.

The event, set for April 30 in Cape Girardeau, will be the first event in the area to offer Splitmaster timing and race management.

In addition, race director Chad Sierman said CycleWerx will be adding to the prize packages for the top three male and female finishers.

CycleWerx also is helping to put on a free clinic Sunday at Central Municipal Pool that will offer tips in all three disciplines for athletes of all levels.

"CycleWerx has been a sponsor in the past," Sierman said, "but they're playing a bigger role this year with chip timing support and more awards for the top finishers."

Some things remain the same for the event, which is hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department with a number of other sponsors.

The event will consist of a 500-yard swim in Central Municipal Pool, followed by a 15.5-mile bike ride and a five-mile run.

Also back in the field is defending champion Delbert Marriott, an accomplished triathlete who will lead the free clinic Sunday.

He said the two-hour clinic, which begins at 1 p.m., will cover swimming, cycling and running as well as the all-important transitions in between. Athletes should dress for competition and bring their triathlon gear. The athletes will practice various techniques on the transitions from beginner to advanced levels.

"This is to let people know about the Steamboat triathlon and hopefully they'll get the bug to want to do it," said Marriott, who promises to break the course record in the event this year.

He won last year in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 35 seconds. The course record of 1:13:51 is owned by Barry Knight, who won the Coors Light/Trail of Tears triathlon in September for the ninth time in 10 years.

Registration for the triathlon that is postmarked by April 24 is $28.65 for individuals and $34.15 for teams. Registration from 6:30 to 8 a.m. on race day is $34.15 for individuals and $39.65 for teams.

The race begins at 9 a.m. with the first wave of competitors getting into the pool.

The chip technology is an additional $20 for those who wish to receive split times. In addition, the technology will allow for results to be available quicker at the end of the race.

Registration is limited to the first 250 participants.

For information on the race, contact Sierman at 335-0400 or csierman@cityofcapegirardeau.org.

For information on this weekend's clinic, contact Marriott at (573) 475-0499 or delbertmarriott@hotmail.com.