San Diego Triathlon : Locals Tinley, Buchanan Win Pro Titles

For Scott Tinley, Sunday’s Bud Light Triathlon here was more than just a last chance to pick up points before the U.S. Triathlon Series national championship Sept. 27. For Tinley, a resident of Encinitas who lost narrowly on his home turf last year, it was an opportunity to win back some hometown pride.

Although Tinley came out of the water after the 1.5-kilometer ocean swim almost a minute and a half behind the pace set by Richard Wells of New Zealand, he caught Wells in the 40-kilometer bicycle race and ran the 10 kilometers along Pacific Coast Highway more than a minute faster than Wells to win the professional men’s competition.

“I live on that Coast Highway--I run it and ride it everyday,” said Tinley, 29, who completed the three events in 1 hour 52.19 minutes. “It was like training in my backyard. And I wasn’t about to lose in front of all my friends.”

That happened last year, when Tinley was runner-up to Scott Molina, the 1985 champion of the triathlon circuit. Tinley has yet to avenge that loss. He was second to Molina Aug. 3 in Chicago. Molina did not compete Sunday, choosing instead to train at his home in Boulder, Colo., for the forthcoming Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.

Linda Buchanan of Leucadia also enjoyed the familiar surroundings as she fought off a strong challenge from Juli Brening of Kirkland, Wash., and Kirsten Hanssen of Denver in the running leg to win the women’s professional division with a time of 2:05.56.

Buchanan, 29, the reigning national women’s champion, said: “Hands down, that was the hardest race I’ve ever run. . . . I knew exactly what that last grade was going to be like. I run that hill two or three times a week.”

Sunday’s competition was the last stop on the 13-city tour before the national championships in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Triathletes receive points based on their finish and the caliber of the competition. The men’s leader is Mike Pigg of Arcata, Calif. Hanssen is thewomen’s leader.

In its fifth year, the San Diego Bud Light Triathlon drew more than 2,300 entrants, including amateurs in 10 age-group categories.