Canyon Lakers finish 70.3-mile triathlon race

Three Canyon Lake triathletes swam, bicycled and ran 70.3 miles at the Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz Sunday, while fellow club member Mike LaHood crashed during the bike stage and spent the day in the hospital.

Mike was scraped up and bruised, but had no broken bones and spent the evening at the campsite with the others. He is promising to return next year to finish what he started.

Meanwhile, Karin Cassidy, Lainie Cooney and Nina Weidhase successfully finished the race in a little more than seven hours and received medals for the accomplishment. Lainie finished in seventh place in her 60-65 age group.

All four are members of the Canyon Lake Triathlon & Fitness Club, which holds a variety of Canyon Lake events as well as trekking to major races throughout the country.

More than 2,500 athletes from all over the United States participated in the prestigious event. The Santa Cruz race featured a 1.2-mile swim from Main Beach to Cowell Beach, around the Santa Cruz Wharf, followed by a 56-mile bike ride from Depot Park in Santa Cruz to historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse and back, capped by a 13.1-mile run from Depot Park to a loop through Wilder Ranch State Park with a finish at Cowell Beach.

“It was a fun day and we are happy to have trained hard, raced hard and now plan on doing some hardcore recovery,” Karin said. “It was great having so much support from our hometown and fellow club members.”

Many of the Canyon Lake Triathlon & Fitness Club members will be participating in a full Ironman race next month, Karin said. The full Ironman consists of 140.6 miles of swimming, biking and running.

The three Canyon Lake triathletes who finished the grueling 70.3-mile Half Marathon Race in Santa Cruz Sunday celebrate at its conclusion. They are, from left, Karin Cassidy, Lainie Cooney and Nina Weidhase.

Karin Cassidy manages a smile after completing the 1.2 mile swim as she embarks on the 56-mile bike stage. She and two other Canyon Lake women finished the Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz race Sunday. Photos provided by Karin Cassidy.

Canyon Lake’s Mike LaHood poses by his hospital bed after crashing during the bike stage of the 70.3-mile Half Marathon Race in Santa Cruz Sunday. Scratched up and bruised, but with no other significant injuries, Mike returned to the campsite Sunday evening. Photo provided by Karin Cassidy.

Nina Weidhase, middle of photo, concentrates as she is about to embark on the Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz on Sunday. The 1.2-mile swim portion is the first leg of the race which also includes a 56-mile bike stage and finally a 13.1 run. Photo by Kirby Colas.