Doug Cronin has completed two ironman triathlons.
He’s finished four marathons. And he’s competed in numerous endurance competitions. But he’s never done anything like what he plans Monday. On that day he will create a novel biathlon by running a 26.2-mile marathon while playing more than 100 holes of golf at Skaneateles Country Club. “Yeah, it’s a little wacky, but I’m doing it to raise awareness — and hopefully some money — for the McMahon-Ryan Child-Advocacy Site,” said Cronin, 30, of Manlius. Although he has completed triathlons that involve swimming 2.4 miles, bicycling 112 miles and running 26.2 miles, he expects this event to offer it’s own particular challenge. “To be honest, I don’t know how this will turn out,” said Cronin, co-owner of Crown Risk Management. “It looks like the weather is going to be good, so I think I’ll make it through. But it’s going to be a long day.” To complete his goal of 100 holes would require playing five full rounds plus 10 additional holes. However, to travel the official marathon distance at Skaneateles CC — a course that measures 6,422 yards — he would have to play just over seven rounds, or 127 holes.
“If you want to be official, that’s probably it, but I don’t necessarily hit it that straight,” laughed Cronin, a former scratch golfer in college who now holds a 3-handicap at Onondaga Golf & Country Club. “A little Army golf will add into my yardage. But I’ll keep going for the official marathon distance. I’m trying to get a GPS hooked up to me so I can figure out exactly how far I’ve gone.”