Raleigh Triathlon Training Group

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photograph by Travis Long

“If it wasn’t for these guys …. I would have just sat on the couch and watched cartoons and drank coffee.” – Shannon Neiley, runner and member of the Raleigh Triathlon Training Group

At 6 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, and at 7 a.m. on Saturdays, Kim Bartman, Paul Burchette, Keith Feuz, Todd Griffin, Jim Hill, Andrew Huene, Neiley, Sean O’Neal (and his Plothound, Hazel), Ocean Pittenger, Kim Serozi, Jeff Thompson, Anita Vila-Parrish, Michael Wadleigh, and Gabi Walton meet to run. During the week, they finish up with coffee at Starbucks on Peace Street. Saturdays, it’s breakfast at The Morning Times. These members of the Raleigh Triathalon Training Group range in age from their early 30s to 50, and all hold a sub-9-minute-mile pace during their 4 to 5.5-mile weekday routes. Saturdays are longer, up to 13 miles, and the motivation is the meal that follows. A few egg white omelet orders are guaranteed. And dessert, always. Because what are long runs for if not a dozen macarons before 9 a.m.?

Starbucks: 609 W. Peace St., 919-754-9007; Morning Times: 10 E. Hargett St., 919-836-12004.