JCC Triathlon Mighty Close in the End

Nine seconds made the difference between second place and victory Sunday morning in the 13th annual JCC Triathlon by the Sea.

With little wind, lots of sunshine and refreshing temperatures in the mid-50s, a Boston University strength and conditioning coach from Watertown, Victor Brown, crossed the line first.

Brown clocked 52:13 in the 1/8-mile swim, 10-mile bike and 3.5-mile run over the Swampscott and Marblehead course.

Spectators, some in lawn chairs and hugging coffee mugs at the ends of their driveways, cheered the bikers and runners as they wheeled and pounded past.

Family and friends formed a welcome-to-the-end gauntlet at the JCC entrance.

Runners veered from Atlantic Avenue to Community Road climbing a short hill to the finish line.

Swampscott police officer Kevin Reen, the winner of four previous JCC triathlons, was runner-up.

Cindy Regnante, 42, of Andover, was the first woman, finishing at 1:02:10. 

Marblehead's Connor Ohlson, 12, won for the second year in the 18 and younger category.

Three members of the Swampscott family, the Westhovens, raced; mom Emily, dad Ulf and daughter Charlotte, 13. 

Swampscott triathlete Steve Hunt brought his teen relay team back again this year including Nora Walker, 16; Anna O'Gorman, 17; Aisling Dennehy, 16; Alex Vogel, 15; Anna Hunt, 15; Danielle Mayblyum, 17; Michelle LaConte, 17; Emma Hunt, 16; Roman Ganchin, 16; Megan Mahoney; and coach Steve Hunt.

About 220 athletes competed, coming from across the North Shore and New England, ranging in age from 10 to 74 years, said the JCC's Leigh Blander.