Cyrus Severance 13th at Memphis in May

By: Riptide Multisports

Cyrus Severance was the 13th elite amateur to cross the finish line at the Memphis in May Triathlon today in Memphis, Tennessee.  Unlike most triathlons, the race begins with a time trial start, instead of in waves.  A major disadvantage of a time trial start is not knowing exactly where you are among your competitors.

Severance swam solo through the 1500m swim, weaving around those who had started ahead of him, and kept a careful eye for anyone passing him.  Exiting the 77.7′ water — 3 tenths of a degree away from being a non-wetsuit swim — Severance checked his watch to see slightly under 19 minutes for the swim and felt confident that no elite amateurs had passed him.

Out on the bike Severance was solo again, not seeing any other elite amateurs the entire ride, happy that no one caught him, but knowing all the while that the real competition was ahead of him.

Hitting the run course on a mission, Severance clicked off 5:50 mile after 5:50 mile despite temperatures in the 80s and extreme humidity.  All was good until he hit the turn-around point at 5k, and the heat and humidity finally caught up with him.  His brisk pace slowed and a few guys passed him on the hilly and shadeless course.

Severance finished in 13th place out of the elite amateur field, but 17th overall including a relay team and those who raced in a separate collegiate wave.  His time of 1:58:49 was within 8% of the winning pro’s time, thus counting as one of three of his pro license qualifications.

Full results here.