NEW HILL -- **** CORRECTION ****
The age of the top women's finisher in the Triangle Triathlon was incorrectly reported in a story in Monday's Sports section. Alicia Parr is 40.
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For 23-year-old Sam Dannenbring, the approximately 200-mile trip to compete in the Triangle Triathlon was well worth it.
Dannenbring, who finished first on Sunday, in 1 hour, 14 minutes, 24 seconds, journeyed from Norfolk, Va., where he serves as a cook for the U.S. Navy's USS Theodore Roosevelt. He also competed in Saturday's event, coming in third with an 11-second faster time (1:14:13).
"I grew up as a runner, and I saw a picture of my dad doing a triathlon, and that inspired me," said Dannen bring, who is originally from Yankton, S.D.
"I'm from a small town, and I didn't get my driver's license until I was 17 and a half, so I rode my bike everywhere. I used to run in North Carolina since my mom's from Greensboro, and my first race was in Gastonia. I just like to come around here, and it's a lot of fun."
But the Inside-Out Sports North Carolina Triathlon Series race - a 750-meter swim, 17.5-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run - doesn't just draw people from out-of-state. Locals love to participate in the 400-person event, too.
Durham native Alicia Parr, 21, was the top women's finisher at 1:18:21, more than a minute ahead of Amie Krasnozon, 30, of Morrisville, who raced Saturday, as well.
"The race was great, and I was probably one of the favored ones coming into the race since I've been racing triathlons on and off since 2002, but I knew that it wasn't in the bag and I had to push myself," said Parr, who has competed in several Triangle Triathlons.
"It sucks you in, and it becomes a lifestyle. You make tons of friends, and a huge percentage of my social network is triathletes now."
She used to participate in 10-12 races a year but has slowed down to seven in the past two years to devote more time to raising her son.
"I haven't been able to train and race as much, but it's still a big part of my life," said Parr, who started racing in 2002 after an aerobics teacher encouraged her to participate. "I'm thrilled about being able to do what I do, and triathlons definitely have a large meaning in my life."
This year's event was expanded to two days to allow more participants to enter, but many of the top racers ended up competing both days. Krasnozon, who came in second Saturday with a 1:19:11 time, was one of them.
"It's really fun, and it's a great local event because you know so many people," said Krasnozon, who has been racing for four years and usually competes in 10 events a year.
"I started doing swim and run in a relay, and I decided that it was time to buy a bike so I could do all three events. I just love it."
