Paul Lieto . . . Chris Lieto. Duh, finally made the connection. Cool. I've been at races before with pros (note that I didn't say I raced with pros) and I've frequently seen them coming in from the run just when I'm getting off the bike. So I'm curious: what makes this race draw such an impressive field?

I was there this morning also. From what I've heard, this is one of the more difficult oly courses out there, so I don't know if that was a draw. I cannot confirm that as this was my very first triathlon. This was also the 25th anniversary, so after 25 years I guess the race directors put on a good show. The weather today was amazing. Water temps weren't too cool and air temps were very comfortable. Light rain mixed in while I was on the bike, but I think the pros were already finished (my wave started an hour and 10 minutes behind them). It was cool to stick around for the awards and see some of the pros that I've watched on Kona coverage in person.

Chris is having lots of success on the short courses - just saw the broadcast of the Nautica So. Beach Tri - and Chris blasted that course as well. Beat McCormick there too.

Is it unusual for someone that trains for half and full ironman events to break an olympic course record when there are a good amount of top short course guys there?

Is it me, or is Chris Lieto starting his season off reall well? I'm not being sarcastic, because the first time I ever heard his name was last year at Kona. Before then, I never followed triathlons at all.

Results aren't up yet. Trust me - my husband, cousin and I all competed and we're checking the website every 1/2hr! This is the race site, for whenever the results are actually up...
http://www.tricolumbia.org/Columbia/

Congrats Chris, and to all of you guys who raced :)

You wouldn't be the first trifuler to crash here!