2010 USAT Sprint Nationals

Approximately 100 of these 384 sprint competitors on Sunday were doubling their fun after finishing the Olympic distance race Saturday. Others were relative newcomers, in the process of working their way up to Olympic distance some day.

But what everybody got after the burning heat and soggy humidity of Saturday’s Olympic distance race was a grateful change in the weather to a cool, wet morning. And, thankfully, the brief lightning storm came after the swim and quit before the race had to be delayed or canceled.

When it was over, 25-year-old Patrick Parish of Circle Pines, Minnesota broke the 1-hour barrier and 17-year-old Katie June of Roswell Georgia finished in 1:06:44 to take took home top overall honors.

All photographs © by Timothy Carlson

Guillermo Nunez, 37, of Watertown, Masachusetts, shows deep respect at the National Anthem.

Kimberly Dunker, 27, of Athens Georgia does an elegant stretch before the swim. The stretches must have helped — she finished 2nd in women’s 25-29 in 1:12:40.

Barry Cross, 59, of Denver, Colorado hugs Elizabeth Tennant, 46, of Littleton, Colorado before the start. Tennant won women’s 45-49 in 1:16:50.

Corbin McDaniel, 24, of Lula, Georgia stands beneath the flag before the start. Triathlon is an American sport and proud of it.

Diving in before the in-water swim start

Men walk down the ramp to the swim start.

A Tough Cookie focuses on her imminent race.

A maelstrom of churning arms and legs mid-swim.

Swimmer’s stroke leaves a trail of spray.

Woman charges out of the water on her way to the swim-bike transition.

James Smith, 37, of Washington Township, Pennsylvania takes off his swim suit on the way to T1. Smith won men’s 35-39 in 1:05:51.

Dean Davis, 81, of Ft. Meyers, Florida hydrates before starting the bike. Davis won 80-84 with a 2:02:05 finish.

Melinda Drake, 45, of Nicholasville Kentucky, at speed on the bike.

John McGrath, 18, of Spanish Fort, Alabama leads five men as the rain starts to soak the runners.

A. Pierre Yurow, 40, of New York City, leads Jennifer Clay, 18, of South Elgin, Illinois starting the run.

Brady Thomas, 21, of Macon Georgia, runs over the footbridge with Louis Talfuto, 23, of Warwick New York.

Suzanne Bay, 21, of Southlake, Texas, approaches the finish with joy.

Roger Mills, 65, of Stockbridge, Georgia, charges toward the finish projected on the Jumbotron screen.

Julie Lyons, 53, of Greenwood Village, Colorado and Amy Rappaport, 50, of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey celebrate at the finish. Rappaport took 2nd in women’s 50-54 in 1:17:47.

Janet Smith, 36, of Chelsea, Alabama at the finish line.