These officers are off duty, on their marks for Ironman
As their colleagues keep order, 3 police officers will compete in the Ironman.
By DEMORRIS A. LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 7, 2007
Follow Up Article: For Officers 3 Goals Accomplished
CLEARWATER -- There will be more than 350 local law enforcement officers policing the streets, the trails and the beach Saturday for the second annual Ford Ironman World Championships 70.3.
But three of Clearwater's officers won't be. Instead of directing traffic or managing spectators, they will be among the 1,500 athletes participating in the race.
"We are totally honored to be allowed to be in this event with these world-class athletes," said Cpl. John Pickart, a 16-year city officer, as he prepared for a light workout Tuesday at Sand Key Park.
Pickart,
Cpl. Dan Devol and Sgt. Joe Falcone hope they will show police officers
in a different light by participating in the race.
"There is the perception that cops are at doughnut shops and drinking coffee," said Falcone, a 13-year veteran of the force.
All three officers agreed that being an officer can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. The schedule is irregular. They eat at all times of the night, sit in cars for long periods and expose themselves to stressful situations.
"This event has been life changing," said Devol, 36, who has been on the force for 14 years. "We've seen a tremendous change in our bodies. We have changed our eating habits, we watch what we put in our bodies and people have noticed the weight I've lost."
But they still will be among the heaviest athletes participating in
the event, they laughed.
"We are still 200 pounds each," Devol said. "But we feel better. "
This is the second year of a five-year contract allowing Clearwater to host the Ironman. The event will bring athletes from more than 50 countries and 45 states to the beach city.
Participants had to earn a spot at one of the year's qualifying races, which consist of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.
Athletes have eight hours to complete the race. The top 10 professional men and women will split $90,000 in prize money.
The race will once again be broadcast in March on NBC. Last year, the show aired before the NCAA March Madness pairings show.
"Just incredible numbers of people watched," said Frank Hibbard, Clearwater's mayor. "You can't beat that. It showed Clearwater in the absolutely best light. Not every community can play host to a world-class event that's being fed from all over the world. Anyway you slice it, it's a heck of an event."
The city and Ironman made some changes this year, especially along the bike course, which they hope will make the event smoother for the residents and athletes.
Devol, Falcone and Pickart, have been friends since their days on the city's community police bicycle patrol starting in 1997. Devol and Pickart began competing in triathlons in 2000. Falcone, an avid runner, ran the New York Marathon in 2004.
Because the event is held in Clearwater, Ironman officials gave the officers permission to participate without a time qualification. But they did have to complete at least one 70.3 event before they were allowed entry to the World Championship.
"We came up with this idea in January, so we thought we had at least a year or so to train," Devol said. "But then the next event was in May in Orlando. We had only four months. It was brutal."
Falcone, 40, had never run a triathlon and doesn't care for the swimming part. The other two officers taught him how to handle transitions and gave him some pointers that will keep him focused when he swims.
Since that time, they either hit the water or the pavement four days a week.
They are realistic about their chances and aren't planning to place. But the officers say they are humbled at the opportunity to represent the city's Police Department.
"We are just going to try," Falcone said, "to enjoy the entire experience."
Follow Up Article: For Officers 3 Goals Accomplished