I was signed up to race the Intimidator 70.3 in March, also put on by Sommer Sports. I live about 2 hours away and drove up the day before for race check in. Halfway there I received the e-mail that the race was cancelled because the city pulled the permits. I ended up staying the night and made a good training day out of the trip; and Sommer Sports gave several options (defer to next year’s race, or use it towards entry into any of his races over the next year). I was very happy with how Sommer Sports communicated and handled the situation.

Sommer Sports has been putting on some sprint triathlons, but they are small events compared to the number of competitors for the GFT weekend. There may not be a lot of athletes entered into the full, but there are several shorter distance races happening concurrently. And it will require many more volunteers as well. That is a lot of people in one place.

My thought (pure speculation) is that if the RESIDENTS of Florida (including me) can grow up and take responsibility instead of blaming government and get this virus under control - maybe. There is enough time for it to happen, but will we do it?

The GFT is a great race, it was my first 140.6. The swim is awesome, the bike is no-joke (~6,000 ft elev in short, punchy climbs), and the run is pancake flat. It is great for spectators, they can stay in one area and see you close to a dozen times during the race.

Good luck with your decision, it’s not an easy one. If you enter and it does get cancelled, are you willing to come to Clermont, FL next year to race it?

Don't see why it wouldn't. The promoter has been doing races this summer and October is very far away.

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

My guess is it will happen. Clermont hasn't shut down his last two races. 2 more coming up. His longer events don't use closed roads so nothing unusual there. Swim in the lake, bike open roads with aid stations here and there and at halfway/transition/special needs turn around and do it again, run up and down the path that's open but roomy enough for the...20-30 competitors? I was planning on it but my buddy is getting married that same day.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Also to consider, yes Florida is a hot spot for the virus but Miami and south Florida I believe are skewing the numbers and making Florida look worse than it is.

Thanks - great thoughts!

So far, Matt Russel and Justin Metzler are racing Clermont, GFT. With the PTO behind it now, this will be exciting. My wife and I are attending a wedding all day so we will have to miss it. It would be exciting to be standing on top of Sugarloaf, watching these guys hammer up it. Any other Pros that you know of racing?

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Where did you see that the PTO is now behind the race?

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This. I work in medical and am responsible for three covid isolation clinics. We aint found S@#T. Empty beds all over. The numbers others are reporting just don't add up. Unless south FL people are locked into cages together and getting infected over and over again the data doesn't make sense. And I mean, it is Floriduh so anything can happen but there is a good chance the race will happen if not just because its less repressive down here.

Fred Sommers put out a call on FaceBook looking for homestays for pro athletes. But to be clear, they are racing the 1/3 GFT, not the full. FYI - he didn't say it was finalized yet, but the PTO is indicating they will put up $20K prize money.

I'm signed up for the 2/3 distance at GFT this year - it will be my first time racing at the venue. (I was signed up for the 1/3 last year but a tropical storm blew in and the race was cancelled the morning of.)

Everything I'm seeing suggests it is going to happen this year - barring a tropical storm or hurricane. Communication from Sommer Sports has been good (I think) on their FaceBook page, including a post of the video from the Clermont City Council's vote to give them the final permit to let the race happen - see this https://www.facebook.com/...eos/786415232147260/.

It'll happen between the work of Sommer Sports and on the pro side the PTO is pushing hard to get the pros back racing. They (shout to Meredith Kessler motivating the field to be there) just inserted and helped support a pro field at our Fall Huntington Triathlon last weekend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78viz-bo08

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Ruble Triathlon Coaching Average of 30 coached PR's per year
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Matt Russell Instagram page. He has a post on there. Justin Metzler announced on Instagram he is trying to get an invite to Daytona so plans on racing the Clermont to get more attention from the PTO. Here is Justin on PTO page.

https://www.instagram.com/...?igshid=mwevve6ibih5

Scroll over to video in link.

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http://www.sfuelsgolonger.com

Thank gawd for Meredith Kessler. I know someone will call me out for the "hit-and-run" but on the basis of things Meredith has done a lot for pros.

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It's happening this Saturday with 549 currently registered for all the events. Sign-up roster follows. The sprint and 1/3 GFT are by far the most popular, but the ultra still can't compete. I thought more would do the full if it were the only game in town, but with IMFL happening two weeks later, the GFT lost the benefit of potential spill-over. FYI - the GFT starts at 7:30am and the last event (sprint tri) starts at 10am.

EVENT NAMENUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
1/3 Distance GFT - PTO PRO RACE 26
140.6 Full Distance Ultra National Championship 97
2/3 Distance GFT 20
1/3 Distance GFT 155
Long Distance Duathlon 22Ultra Distance Aquabike 8
2/3 Distance Aquabike 4
1/3 Distance Aquabike 21
Ultra Distance 2-3 Person Relay 3
2/3 2-3 Person Relay 0
1/3 2-3 Person Relay 7
2.4 Mile Open Water Swim 26
9 Person Full Distance Relay 0
Sprint Triathlon 160

Is there a list of participants in the pro race?

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This link should take you to the pro list: https://runsignup.com/...40163&perPage=50

Female Pro:

• Lisa Becharas

• Sarah Bishop

• Danielle Dingman

• Holli Finneren

• Lara Gruden

• Ginger Howell

• Tamara Kozulina

• Laura Mathews

• Elizabeth Nyitray

• Lenny Ramsey

• Jeanni Seymour

• Jennifer Spieldenner

• Danielle Vsetecka

• Grace Walther

Male Pro:

• Elliot Bach

• Nicholas Chase

• Benjamin Kanute

• Chris Leiferman

• Andre Lopes

• Justin Metzler

• Timothy O'Donnell

• Tim Rea

• Matthew Russell

• Jarrod Shoemaker

• Ted Treise

• Bradley Weiss

Any results?

I just did a google search and didn't see anything posted on their site.

https://www.teamusa.org/...HHLtHqMsarv1XKVvTQew

Or...

https://runsignup.com/...d-224454;perpage:100

Missed the front page I see ;P

https://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Leiferman_Seymour_Victorious_at_30th_Great_Floridian_7801.html

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Washed up footy player turned Triathlete.

haha fair...

I generally just hop on straight to the forums