Christopher Lane

I was a high school and collegiate runner in both the track and cross country teams. Fast forward to Madrid, Spain, and running on Torrejon Air Base’s Track Team in the mid 80’s, as well as qualifying in first place (Age group 40+) for Torrejon’s ten Kilometer team which traveled to Athens Greece for the Mediterranean Championships (Military) during the same time. In early 1987, a friend on Torrejon’s 10K team asked if I wanted to do a Triathlon?? I bought a Bianchi Trofeo and started riding with a Spanish bike club in the town of Torrejon, Spain. My very first triathlon was in Guadalajara, Spain. Distances were a 1500 meter swim, 56K bike, and a 12K run. My friend was quite disappointed; I beat him on my very first tri!!!

Some highlights over the years:

- 1990 won first place (40 and up) in the Catalan (Barcelona, Spain) championships.

- 1990 won first place (Age group 40 and up) in the Chiclana Triathlon; this race was the very next day after wining the Rota Navel Air Base Triathlon; see below.

- 1990 won the Rota Navel Air Base Triathlon (Olympic Distance) in age group 30 and up.

- 1990 won the 40 and up age group in the city of Villena, Spain’s Triathlon.

- 1990 again participated in the Guadalajara race and would have taken first, but was disqualified for not wearing a shirt on the bike...

- Was chosen to participate in the United States Military Finals selection for International Military Sports Council (CISM) in the sport of Triathlon. It was requested that I go to the the semi-final selection race in Germany based on my times and placements, but the Coronel I worked for couldn’t get his toupee on straight and did not approve my travel to Germany to participate in such a risque sport as a Triathlon… The head of the United States Military CISM then specifically requested that I attend the U.S. Military’s final selection race that was to be held at Paris Island Marine Base in the United States. Again my dear toupee-wearing Coronel turned this request down. This would have been the high-point of an exceptional year, and my participation in the sport overall.

- 1992 qualified for and participated in the Nationals at Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the last race I did for approximately 10 years.

- 2003 won many races in my age group, and had a great year; this was the last year before my knees began to give me problems.

- 2003 Qualified for the World Championships at Madeira Island, Portugal. Participated on the United States Team in Olympic distance; was just happy to finish that race! Hills, Hills, and more Hills… You want hills, they got’um!! Never been one to use the brakes much, but I think I used a years worth of brake pad on that race!

- 2007 having a better year, and slowly working on my run which has slowed considerably since 2003; bike times remain strong, and as always; swim sucks!