Sprint to the finish for Nahant Triathlon

NAHANT – Battling wind, waves and general chilly conditions, participants in the final Nahant Beach Triathlon of the year celebrated the conclusion of season No. 33.?The waves took you,” Marc Ford of Lynn said. “They dictated where you went.”Ford competed in the triathlon one day after running the Lynn Woods 5-Mile Handicap.?The hills on the handicap leg were definitely brutal,” he said. “Like I said, the waves were really tough. The bike ride was definitely a warm-down.?I run like five nights a week. I race about four times a week. It feels good. My legs feel nice and strong afterward.”The 33 participants gathered near the beach, not far from the Tides Restaurant, in preparation for the triathlon: a 450-foot swim in the choppy waters; a 4.8-mile bike ride through Nahant; and a 2.6-mile run along the causeway to Lynn and back.?The weatherman made a boo-boo,” organizer Bob Levine said. “It was supposed to be sunny out. At least it?s 65 (degrees). The water is 67.”Two participants have the World Championships on their calendars: John Martin of Nahant and Alison Nieto of Lynn. Martin will compete in his age group (55-59) two weeks from today in London.?There?s a little bit of waves tonight, but it?s kind of part of the sport here in Nahant,” said Martin, who has been competing in triathlons for “probably 12 years.”The Nahant Beach Triathlon is a free weekly event that takes place on Thursdays during the summer.?I do (the triathlon) every Thursday night,” Martin said. “It?s my summer routine, my combination of training and seeing friends every Thursday night.”Nieto, a Nahant native, will compete in the Worlds next year in Edmonton, in the women?s 30-34 age group.?The swim was a little rough (Thursday),” she said. “A swim is usually my strong leg. The bike was good and the run was good. I wish the swim was a little bit better and the water a little bit calmer.”Overall winner Ken Siriani of Nahant is in his first year of competing in triathlons.?I used to run a lot in college and high school,” he said. “I took 10 years off.”He said that yesterday, “the water was actually warm,” while there was a “nice ocean breeze” on the causeway run.Participants celebrated with pizza, soda and cupcakes afterward. There was also an awards presentation.