It was quality, not quantity, for triathlon, organizer says

MARBLE FALLS — Despite the fact fewer athletes competed in the Marble Falls Triathlon on July 17, organizer Mario Gonzales was encouraged. The reason is because of the quality athletes the event drew.

“It was an awesome event that amazes me,” he said. “The numbers were down quite a bit. The quality never drops off.”

He blamed the economy and the heat for fewer athletes. Most came from the Austin and San Antonio areas. Few athletes came from the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas.

“It’s an expensive event,” Gonzales said. “They have to pay for gas, hotel and food.”

Gonzales said the vendors and business owners specializing in selling equipment to bikers and runners warned the triathlon might have fewer athletes this year because sales have been slow.

Gonzales is considering moving the triathlon from July to October in 2012 because of cooler weather and in the hopes the event will bring in revenue later in the year.