Meat Pie Tri

By Deb Lyons

MEAT PIE TRI you say? Here's the history.

You probably can't spell or pronounce it, but might remember Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tush) from Steel Magnolias or when Oprah Winfrey declared it the Best Little Town in the Whole USA! Louisianians knew about this quaint historic town long before the stars arrived. Since the 1700's it's been home to the famous Natchitoches Meat Pie, when street vendors chanted Hotta meat pies!

This year former Ironman Champ, Peter Reid, was on hand to encourage the participants. Among them were Dana Lyons and Kent Morris. Both enjoyed themselves and even sampled the famous meat pies offered post-race. Meat Pie Tri began at 7am on Sunday, September 27 with a very spectator friendly 1/2 mile swim in Cane River Lake. Then out of T1 up a short steep incline onto Front Street for a 20 mile out and back ride over some light rolling terrain. Participants racked their bikes and headed out of T2 up the steps of the Riverbank for a 5K under the beautiful canopy of oaks along the lake.

Dana finished the race in 1:24:27 placing 3rd overall and top masters. Dana had the fourth strongest bike at 50:22 for the 20mile leg. His run was the sixth fastest overall at 19:34 for the 5K run. Kent finished 3rd in his age group with a time of 1:35:19. In his age group, Kent had the third fastest at 15:21 for the 1/2 mile distance, the second fastest bike at 54:33, and the third fastest run at 22:30. Way to go!