Westport's Russi Sets Personal Best Time In Junior Triathlon National Championship

Westport's Marcus Russi, 15, competed in his first junior elite (under 19) triathlon national championship on Aug. 5 in San Diego.

The Staples High School student lowered his personal best sprint triathlon time to 60:31 (The sprint triathlon included a 750-meter swim, 20-K bike race, and 5-K run.)

Russi placed 35 out of the 74 racers who qualified to compete and was eighth among those with a age of 16 or younger. His best leg was cycling, where he averaged 24.9 mph, the same pace as the race winner.

Russi is looking forward to the U.S. age group sprint triathlon championships in Burlington, Vt., on Saturday when racers of all ages will compete.

Locally, Russi was the under-19 winner of the Seaside Sprint triathlon in June and the Fairfield Trifitness and Westport Kiwanis triathlons last September.

Russi has been a starting varsity swimmer for two years at Staples, qualifying each year for the Class LL championship as a butterfly and freestyle specialist under coach Jeff Schare, and a varsity outdoor track runner.

This fall, he also will run cross country for the Wreckers under coach Laddie Lawrence. Russi  has been a member of the Westport Weston Y swim team since age 8 and swims year round on the senior team under coach Ellen Johnston.

As a cyclist, Russi trains with the Bethel Cycle Club led by Greg Pelican. He competes in triathlon as a member of Vortex Racing and is coached by USAT development coordinator Steve Kelley.