Tropical Triathlon brings competitors from all over to Lake Worth

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Triathletes from different states and from all over South Florida came to Lake Worth to compete in a triathlon. 

More than 400 people swam a quarter mile in the ocean to start their journey, which competitors like Cecilio Farenes said was the toughest part of the race.

"Once you come to the bridge while you're swimming, it's a lot of wind so it will slow you down a little bit," Farenes said.

But once competitors got out of the water, they run off the beach and pick up their bikes for an 11-mile bike ride down the highway.  

On that bike ride, as cyclists come back by the starting line, you saw "Team McKillop," which was a family of three supporting their dad who was competing in his first triathlon.

After the bike ride, the athletes ran 3.1 miles to finish the race; but for many competitors this was more training for something bigger...the Ironman race.  

With renovation work being done to the Casino, Nadine Burns of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce said this race is a great way to put the city in the spotlight.

"It showcases the Intercostal and the boardwalk and all of the new renovations and infrastructure that's happening right now in the city," Burns said. "It's a great time to be in Lake Worth."

Burns said people registered from many different states such as Iowa and some competitors came from Vero Beach as well as Miami.