Photo courtesy of the Orange County Register
City staffer Taylor Hooten captured first place in the aquathlon during Sunday’s OC International Triathlon in Mission Viejo.
Taylor, 23, who works at the City’s Montanoso and Sierra Recreation centers and is a lifeguard, entered the aquathlon after discovering there were no remaining triathlon slots. An inspiration to many and just a really nice guy, Taylor was excited to take part in the aquathlon, a .25-mile-swim followed by a 1.5-mile run, which was added to the mix this year.
The dedicated City employee only started competing in races last year and is gearing up for the Laguna Hills Memorial Half Marathon on May 30 and a triathlon in July.
The OC International Triathlon is Orange County’s only Olympic distance triathlon. The race included a 1-mile swim in Lake Mission Viejo and a 25-mile bike ride beginning on Marguerite Parkway, north to El Toro Road and out through Santiago Canyon. The race ended with a 10K run that started on the Aliso Creek Bike Trail and followed various trail systems leading back to the lake.
According to reports, in the triathlon, there were 632 finishers, 430 men, 202 women.
