#USA #St. Petersburg #St. Anthony's #Sam Appleton #Annie Fuller

Sam Appleton and Annie Fuller Win St. Anthony's Triathlon

Date: April 26, 2026
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida

In a dazzling display of athleticism, Sam Appleton and Annie Fuller surged past a formidable group of competitors to clinch victory in the 43rd edition of the St. Anthony's Triathlon. This premier triathlon event, held along the picturesque waterfront of St. Petersburg, gathered a vibrant community of athletes and spectators, all eager to witness the race.

Sam Appleton, an accomplished Australian athlete now based in Boulder, Colorado, emerged as the champion in the men's category, completing the grueling course—comprising a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike ride, and a 10K run—in an impressive time of 14:46.36. Appleton's triumph marks his first St. Anthony's title, a goal he has aspired to for over a decade since his last participation in 2016. He expressed his delight, saying, "It's a great experience, just a great vibe out here. It was a super fun technical bike ride through the city and a run through beautiful residential areas with people posted out on their front lawns cheering us on."

On the women's side, Annie Fuller from Tucson, Arizona, celebrated her inaugural victory at the St. Anthony's Triathlon, finishing with a time of 15:71.6. Fuller, who has faced recent physical challenges, found herself in tears of joy upon crossing the finish line. She remarked, "It was just really emotional. This is my favorite race. They take care of us here and it's so much fun. Wonderful."

Following them in the men's race was Greg Harper, who secured second place with a time of 14:44.43, and Marc Dubrick, who, having won the last two editions, finished third in 14:52.3. For the women, Amelie Kretz took home second place clocking in at 15:83.0, while last year's winner, Grace Alexander, rounded out the podium in third place at 15:91.4.

The event was marked by a strong community presence and extensive participation. Nearly 3,000 athletes, both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic amateurs, took part in various competitions, including the youth-targeted Meek Mighty Triathlon held the day before. The accompanying Olympic and Sprint-distance races were a part of a USAT State Championship Pilot Program for Florida, further raising the stakes and excitement for participants.

Race director Patrick McGee acknowledged the essential contributions of athletes, sponsors, fans, and volunteers, emphasizing that their unwavering support is what makes this event stand out year after year. He stated, "We appreciate every athlete, sponsor, fan, and volunteer who came out to make this such a special event."

Looking ahead, details regarding the dates for next year's 44th St. Anthony's Triathlon will be unveiled soon, with registration for the 2027 event set to commence shortly.

About St. Anthony's Hospital

St. Anthony's Hospital, founded in 1931 as a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, is a 448-bed facility committed to delivering high-quality healthcare. Recently, the hospital debuted a new patient tower, featuring 90 private rooms, as part of its ongoing mission to enhance community health through compassionate care.
For more information, visit BayCare.org/SAH.

About BayCare Health System

BayCare stands as a prominent not-for-profit healthcare provider, connecting individuals to a multitude of services across 16 hospitals and numerous other locations throughout Tampa Bay and Central Florida. With a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services, BayCare aims to uplift the health of the communities it serves through superior care that prioritizes compassion.