The 2004 Columbia Triathlon was held at Centennial Park in Ellicott City, MD on May 23, 2004. This year’s race attracted numerous top national amateurs as well as a strong field of pros, including reigning Ironman World Champion Peter Reid.  Not surprisingly, Reid won the race, although he was given a run for his money by Matthew Cooke (Washington, D.C.), who finished less than a minute behind Reid for second place.  The women’s race was won by Amanda Pagon (Glenn Dale, MD).  Including Pegon, all top five women in this year’s race hailed from the Mid-Atlantic Region.
 
Weather in this year’s race was a drastic change from the past two years, when racers faced brutally cold conditions.  This year, the temperature was near 70 degrees at the start and reportedly reached 90 degrees by 10 a.m. In addition, last year’s frigid water temperatures were replaced with very warm water temperatures in the high 70's.
 
According to one participant, the most memorable aspect of this year’s race was the cicadas, which have invaded the Region in full force this spring.   Their ear-piercing, deafening buzz could be heard on the bike and run.  “Every step around the park was followed by a crunch, crunch, crunch,” noted the participant. 
 
TOP FIVE MEN AND WOMEN OVERALL
 
Male
 
Peter Reid, Victoria                                                 1:56:50
Matthew Cooke, Washington, DC                        1:57:43
Travis Kuhl, Lowville, NY                               1:58:57
Todd Wylie, Doylestown, PA                        1:59:27
Justin Thomas, Fairfax, VA                                2:01:51
 
Female
 
Amanda Pagon, Glenn Dale, MD            2:14:09
Margaret Shapiro, Annandale, VA              2:17:05
Marjan Huizing Montgomery Village, MD             2:17:20
Laurie Hug, Ambler, PA                                           2:19:14
Kathleen Baldwin, Great Hills, MD                       2:20:59
 
For complete results and race information, please visit www.tricolumbia.org.