Brazelton Enjoys Local Support

There was no doubt John Brazelton was the most popular competitor Sunday morning at the Kring & Brown Newport Beach Triathlon. It didn’t hurt that he brought a busload of students from nearby Newport Harbor High School, where he’s taught biology and chemistry for four years.

Brazelton, 30, finished third in the elite male division at the 22nd annual event, which began with a half-mile swim in the cold, murky waters of Newport Dunes, then sent participants on a 13-mile bike ride primarily through Irvine before culminating with a three-mile run around the Back Bay.

“I think I’ve got about 40 kids out here volunteering and another eight or 10 participating, so I’m trying to get them addicted early,” said Brazelton, who also talked a fellow teacher into competing for the first time. “It was nice seeing familiar faces all along the course, and all the kids are yelling at me.”

Brazelton was fourth out of the water. The first competitor, who wasn’t wearing a number, called it a day and headed for his car, which left 24-year-old Erik Burgan of Carlsbad in the lead after completing the half-mile swim in about 9 minutes 10 seconds.

Burgan stretched his lead to 70 seconds after the bike ride, then ran the three-mile course in just over 16 minutes to finish the race in 57:15. Christian Hesch, 20, of Morro Bay was second (58:50).

“Erik just rides like an animal, there’s nothing you can do,” Hesch said. “When someone goes out there and puts on a clinic on the bike, I can take back 30 seconds, but I can’t take back two minutes.”

It was the first triathlon of the year for Burgan, who builds bike components when he’s not competing. Next weekend he’s going to run in another smaller race in Solana Beach, then take part in the U.S. Triathlon Series in Los Angeles the following weekend.

“Right now you have to be really strong in everything to compete with all the top pros around here, so I don’t really have a particular strength,” Burgan said. “I guess if I had to pick one I would pick the bike right now. I feel pretty strong on the bike. I did a lot of miles last year and it’s kind of paying off this year.”

Kelly Rees of Carlsbad won the elite female division in 1:07.40.