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Sports

From Second to First In Redondo Beach Triathlon

Jason May, a firefighter from Redondo Beach, and Amanda Nauman, a student at Steven's Institute of Technology, win after finishing second in the event last year.

A cool, overcast, morning provided excellent conditions for triathletes on Sunday and Jason May of Redondo Beach and Amanda Nauman of Mission Viejo took full advantage, claiming victories in the 6th annual Redondo Beach Triathlon.

May, a 35 year-old firefighter from Redondo Beach won the men's division with a time of 41:05, two seconds ahead of Redondo Beach's Brian Tasker.

"This is just an awesome event and I am really happy with how the race went,'' May said. ''I love being a part of this every year, the community gives great support to a great cause.'' 

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May, who finished second last year to Chris Foster, credited his work in the water for helping him to the first place finish.

"The swim is a long one, and that plays into my strength," he said. 

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Participants in the more competitive sprint format swam a half-mile, biked six miles and then finished with a 2-mile run. There was also a mini-sprint competition where the distances are half as long in each leg of the event.

On the women's side, Nauman, like May, had finished second a year ago. But she used her collegiate swimming experience to push into first place in 48:03.

"I got a good lead out of the water and was able to pace myself on the bike and give myself some extra energy for the run," Nauman said. 

Nauman, who will be a senior at Steven's Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., competes in collegiate triathlons and swims in addition to her studies in the engineering management program. 

"The last uphill was tough, I sprinted to the finish and heard I was second, even though I never saw anyone pass me," Nauman said. 

Finishing second to Nauman was 15-year-old Hannah Finchamp of Altadena who finished with a time of 49:02.

"I had a great time today,'' Finchamp said. ''My bike was fast and I have improved so much in that area, I think my muscles are developing and it helped me to a great run too.''

Brian Tasker, who finished second to May, would have liked a better effort in the water, but was able to garner a strong effort thanks to his work on the bike. 

"I had a slow swim, but I was moving great on the bike and held strong in my run," Tasker said.  "It was just perfect weather and just an awesome event overall."

The triathlon, which has raised more than $50,000 for the non-profit organization Cheer for Children, attracted athletes as young as 12 and as old as 69. 

Organizer Rick Crump said that he was thrilled with the participation and support of the South Bay community in the event.

"This kind of event doesn't happen without the support of all our volunteers and coordinators," Crump said.  "Every aspect of this event was taken care of by our great team and it's such a good opportunity for all levels of participants."

Kathryn Hansen of Cheer for Children was thankful for the work of organizers and sponsors in the much-needed fundraising effort for her all-volunteer organization, which provides assistance to local families with acutely ill and physically-challenged children.

"It's such a special event, and great opportunity for our community to help out," Hansen said.  "Our sponsors were filling up from the beginning this year and we've had so much help from volunteers, it's a big help for us every year."

For complete race results, click here.

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