Elite Racing Team, a Santa Barbara-based triathlon team dedicated to the development of top age group and elite athletes, announced today that Lauren Capone won the amateur women’s title at the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in Lawrence, Kansas on Sunday, June 12, earning a slot at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships to be held in Las Vegas on September 11. Ms. Capone graduated from UCSB last spring. In her senior year, Ms. Capone led the women of the UCSB Triathlon Team to win the West Coast Collegiate Conference Championship title, also winning the overall women’s race on that day.
“I am so proud of Lauren,” said Mateo Mercur, head coach of Elite Racing – Santa Barbara, as well as the UCSB Triathlon Team. “LC has trained with incredible focus and motivation, she is utterly coachable. LC was a phenomenal athlete on the UCSB team, and in choosing to stay in Santa Barbara to train with me as her coach, she will continue to shine on the Elite Racing Team.”
“That was the best race of my life! I’m so happy and excited right now, I’m not even tired,” said the exuberant Capone after crossing the finish line at the Ironman 70.3 race in Lawrence, Kansas. “I can’t believe I ran a best time for a half-marathon in a 70.3. I’m just so excited. And Chrissie Wellington gave me a hug at the finish line!”
The Ironman 70.3 was held in Lawrence, Kansas and consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. Lauren Capone completed the full distance in 4:38:26.
One week prior, on Sunday June 6, four members of the Elite Racing Team competed in the Morro Bay Olympic Distance Triathlon. Jason Smith won the race, followed closely by team mate Zack Paris who claimed second. J. Ritterbeck finished eighth overall, winning the men’s 35-39 category. Elite Racing Team athlete Adrienne Hengels took third place in the elite women’s field.
The Elite Racing Team competes again on June 26 at the Breath of Life Triathlon in Ventura.
About Lauren Capone
Lauren began racing triathlon with the UCSB Triathlon Team in the fall of her freshman year. She came to the sport of triathlon as a high school state champion two miler in track and field in her home state of Maryland. Lauren plans to continue living in Santa Barbara to train and race with Elite Racing Team.
About Elite Racing Team
Elite Racing Team is a Santa Barbara-based triathlon team dedicated to the development of top age group and elite athletes. Head coach and founder Mateo Mercur is also the head coach of the UCSB Triathlon Team and founder of Trinity Endurance Sport. Mr. Mercur has coached thousands of athletes from beginner to elite, including the current 20-24 women’s Olympic distance World Champion.
