Newark pool lifeguard wins 22nd annual Dave Reynolds Biathlon
The 22nd annual Dave Reynolds Biathlon was won by an 18-year-old pool lifeguard visiting Rehoboth Beach to celebrate his recent graduation from The Charter School of Wilmington.
Brad Brooks logged a time of 29:16 to win the annual event, besting last year's winning time by 29 seconds. Rehoboth Beach lifeguard Wayde Marsh won last year's event in a time of 29:45.
“I have my graduation party here later today, so I came down yesterday and figured I'd sign up and try it,” said Brooks.
He jumped out to a commanding lead in the half-mile swim portion of the race, exiting the ocean nearly a minute before his next-closest competitor. As a competitive swimmer with Delaware Swim Team, Brooks said, he felt he had an advantage.
“I've been swimming six or seven days a week, so I felt great,” he said. “Then the run, I felt good for the first mile or so and then it got hot. Once it got hot, I started to get tired and felt a little wear and tear, but I was able to finish strong.”
Runner-up finisher Steve W. Moran made up some time in the 5K run and finished hot on Brooks' heels.
Brooks was a three-sport athlete at Charter, competing in cross country, swimming, and track and field. When he's not swimming for DST year-round, he also works as a pool lifeguard. He was in good spirits after the race was over.
“It feels really fantastic,” he said. “And they gave me some free V8 - it's delicious.”
Check out Tim Bamforth's running column in the Friday, July 6 edition for more information about the race. For full results, go to www.seashorestriders.com.
