For officers, 3 Goals Accomplished

The three Clearwater police officers who participated in the Nov. 10 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 kept hearing the same thing as they tackled the race that brought more than 1,500 of the world's fastest triathletes to town.

"They said we had home field advantage," Sgt. Joe Falcone said. "But it was a great feeling having an officer on every corner encouraging you. It helped us a lot."

Because the event was held in Clearwater, Ironman officials gave Falcone, Cpl. John Pickart and Cpl. Dan Devol permission to participate without a time qualification, though they did have to complete at least one 70.3 event. They competed in a 70.3 in Orlando.

For the Clearwater race, each vowed to take 45 minutes off his time.

All three accomplished the goal.

Sgt. Joe Falcone, 40 (5:57:03)

Falcone was apprehensive about the swim at the race's start.

"Once I went in the water, my fear of sharks went away," Falcone said with a laugh. "I never worried about that."

Falcone's two daughters ran the last 100 yards of the race with him.

"This was probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing," he said.

Falcone was surprised that so many people knew that he and the other officers were participating in the race.

"I had homeless and transition people I've been dealing with for years saying 'I saw you in the paper' and coming up giving support."

Cpl. John Pickart, 39 (6:27:09)

Pickart was pleased to have family, friends and fellow officers all along the route to help him fight through some pain. On about mile eight of the run, he started getting severe cramps in his legs.

"I had to slow down, and it was a bit distracting," Pickart said. "I kept going because I wasn't about to quit, no matter what."

Pickart said he'd run it again.

"It was a grueling experience, but I'd do it again," he said.

Cpl. Dan Devol, 36 (6:39:01)

Devol noted the courage and the strength of the challenged athletes who participated in the race.

"It was humbling to see," Devol said. "You see stuff like that, it makes you want to finish."

He said it was a good race, but "it was very challenging and that (Memorial Causeway) bridge is like a mountain, especially the fourth time over it."

Devol said, "It's nice that it's over."

"It's a great experience," he said.

"Afterwards, I had some ice on the knees and we're on the mend and it's all worthwhile."

For officers, 3 goals accomplished