Triathlon Record Shattered

Standing firm for a decade, it seemed that Cape Girardeau’s Steamboat Classic Triathlon course record was safe. After a short stint as a professional triathlete and duathlete, Delbert Marriott set out on the Steamboat course in 2006, with the sole goal of crushing the record. The record-breaking day was otherwise dim for the then 38-year-old Charleston High School teacher. At the finish line, Marriott was hit with the news of a gruesome accident that had occurred on the race’s bike route, involving his close friend, Tony Rigdon. Marriott rushed to the hospital before realizing his record-breaking performance. It wasn’t until Rigdon was released from ICU, several days later, that Marriott was able to enjoy his victory.

Returning as the event’s chip timer, with SplitMaster Timing, on the 10th anniversary of his record-setting race, Marriott had the pleasure of cheering on another triathlete who, just as Marriott had a decade prior, competed with the sole goal of crushing the record.

The Steamboat Classic Triathlon includes an accumulative time of three separate disciplines (450 meter swim, 15.5 mile bike and 5 mile run), and the time spent transitioning from one discipline to the next. Marriott watched 18-year-old, Ian Hoover-Grinde, comparing their split times along the way.

According to Marriott’s estimates, Hoover-Grinde’s swim was the ultimate factor in the new record, as he destroyed Marriott’s 2006 swim time, by about two minutes. Although Marriott’s record had faster transitions and bike splits, that didn’t account for the two-minute difference that Hoover-Grinde made up in the water.

Delbert Marriott poses with Ian Hoover-Grinde, at the Steamboat Classic Triathlon in Cape Girardeau, on Sunday, April 24th.

In the end, Hoover-Grinde of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shattered Marriott’s record of 1:14.39 by 44 seconds. He now holds the new course record with an astonishing time of 1:13:55.9.

This time is also faster than the record set on the previous Steamboat Classic Triathlon course. The previous course’s record is held by the legendary, Barry Knight, of Paducah, Kentucky. This previously used course consisted of a half-mile shorter bike course. Now, any confusion or controversy surrounding the records of the old, verses the revised courses, can be put to rest, as Hoover-Grinde shattered the best times ever set on either course!

Twenty years younger than the age of Marriott when he set the course record, 18-year-old Hoover-Grinde still has much time to improve his technique and continue to drop time. His father pointed out that he hasn’t spent much time practicing transitioning, and even took the time to put on socks before he started the 5 mile run, something that elite triathletes rarely do in transition, due to the amount of time involved. Currently a senior at George Washington High School, Hoover-Grinde plans to compete in Triathlon for Iowa State University next year.