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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 Hundreds of competitors traveled from all over the country for the 43rd annual St Anthony\u2019s triathlon.<\/p>\n
Racers competed first on the water, then on two wheels, and finished on foot.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYou want to quit while you\u2019re doing this a lot, but you\u2019ve got to push through,\u201d said Antony Mascovich, who was competing in the Olympic Triathlon, the most rigorous of St. Anthony\u2019s. \u201cA few years ago, I was almost 400 pounds, and I started out with St. Anthony\u2019s as a weight loss patient.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s something that you\u2019re not satisfied with, fitness, weight \u2013 whatever it is, you can change that,\u201d Mascovich said. \u201cThat\u2019s what this means to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people are participating \u2013 some are taking on only one leg of the race as part of teams, and some are tackling it all on their own.<\/p>\n
Competitors say the act of crossing the finish line means something different to each person.<\/p>\n
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\u201cEarly November, I lost my brother, he died at the age of 70,\u201d competitor Trifon Houvardas said. \u201cI took it upon myself to get active, start eating right\u2026 I\u2019m at a point in life and at my age, you\u2019ve just got to start taking it seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n
Competitors said that by taking part in the triathlon, benefits come back to them threefold. Athletes improve their health, make some friends along the way, and inspire others to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you like what you\u2019re doing and you like the sport, you just find people that encourage you and make you better, and I love the triathlon community as well,\u201d competitor Stephanie Block said.<\/p>\n
Races finished with an after-party at Vinoy Park to celebrate the accomplishments.<\/p>\n
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Final finish times are available online.<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n