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Michael Ashworth finished first in the Memorial Day Duathlon on Sunday in Coconut Creek. It was Ashworth’s first event since qualifying for Team USA’s national roster.
The Memorial Day Duathlon was comprised of .75-mile run, 10 miles on the bike and ended with a three-mile run. Ashworth finished in 51 minutes 37 seconds.
“It was kind of unexpected — I don’t usually win these things,” Ashworth said. “The fastest guys seem to be just a little bit older than me. I don’t know why. Maybe they just have stronger legs.”
He got his start in competitive races two years ago when he moved to Miami. Before that he ran track in high school but “hated it.”
He moved from his home of 10 years in the nation’s capital to take a job based out of Miami.
“I provide information on public health in the Caribbean,” Ashworth said. “I come back to Miami to work from home.”
Now that he has qualified for the national team, he is eligible in the Duathlon World Championships in Ottawa, Canada, from Aug. 8-10.
The course will be a take the participants along the Ottawa River. The first run will consist of a 5-kilometer loop around a closed parkway. Then there’s a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 2.5-kilometer run.
“I am thrilled! I can’t wait. I have new bike. ... I have a whole cheering section coming with me,” Ashworth said. “Since I made the national team I have a coach, and he has really helped me with my times.”
Ashworth explained he will race every two to three weeks until then, giving him plenty of time to train for the championship.
Meanwhile, in the Memorial Day Triathlon, Kevin Channer, 41, of Deerfield Beach, finished the .25-mile swim, 10-mile bike and three-mile run in 50:33 to win the men’s division.
In the woman’s division Maria Morales, 35, of Wilton Manors, finished first in 54:01.
If you would like you have your event showcase in The Miami Herald please email Corey W. Campbell, at Campbell.corey@gmail.com.
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