Like many folks, I decided late in life to get into shape. After losing over 40 pounds, I continued to strive for further improvement and eventually turned to racing. After racing in numerous trail and road running events, I was persuaded by a fellow trail runner to look into off-road triathlons.
I originally created this blog back in 2004 and named it “SpeedyLizard” in 2005. The nickname “SpeedyLizard” was given to me during track days on my sportbike (which you can see on my youtube.com/speedylizard page). I later turned it into “SpeedyLizard Racing” when I took up triathlons in 2007. Beware of the posers and imitators that decided to be unoriginal and try to steal the “Speedy Lizard Racing” name. ;-)
In 2007, I first started racing triathlons and at my first triathlon, XTERRA Uwharrie, I was surprised by taking 3rd place overall in the Sport class. I was hooked on XTERRA’s and off-road triathlons and even spent 7 years as an XTERRA Ambassador.
In 2016, I was bestowed with the honor of being named Mr. XTERRA and was completely blown away for even being considered for the honor, let alone being awarded it. Check out a cool highlight video XTERRA put together.
Always looking for another adventure after racing off-road triathlons and trail runs for years, I fell into swimrun when a buddy asked me join him for the ÖtillÖ Swimrun World Championships in 2015. That year, we raced both the champs race but also Rockman Swimrun. I was instantly hooked on this fun sport. Connecting with nature, moving across water and land, with no two courses alike, it was perfect for my adventurous spirit. If you like tackling challenges and whatever Mother Nature can throw at you, then consider this sport.
I race everything from swimrun, adventure races, off-road triathlons, and trail runs. Stay tuned to my blog for the fun adventures (pun intended).
2020 notable accomplishments (thanks Covid):
- 1st Overall – M1ndurance WTF Ultra
- 1st Overall – Grandfurther Mountain Run, Banner Elk, NC
- 1st Male Team – SwimRun Austin, TX
- 3rd Overall – BEAR 24 Hour Adventure Race, Blairsville, GA
- 3rd Overall – Oak Mountain 24 Hour Adventure Race, Pelham, AL
- 10th Mixed Team – ÖtillÖ Catalina SwimRun, CA
- Qualified for ÖtillÖ Swimrun World Championships
2019 notable accomplishments:
- 1st overall – SwimRun North Carolina
- 1st overall – SwimRun Virginia
- 1st overall – USNWC Dry Tri, Charlotte, NC
- 1st overall – Long Creek Adventure Race (Solo 8hr), Charlotte, NC
- 1st overall – Ride and Seek Adventure Race, Charlotte, NC
- 2nd overall – Swampfox Adventure Race, Charleston, SC
- 2nd overall – XTERRA Fort Yargo, GA
- 2nd overall – XTERRA Knoxville, Knoxville, TN
- Top Swimrun Team in North America
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 45-49
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified for XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2018 notable accomplishments:
- 3rd overall – Rockman SwimRun Norway
- 1st overall – SwimRun Maryland
- 1st overall – SwimRun Crawlman
- 1st overall – SwimRun Pennsylvania
- 1st overall – SwimRun Casco Bay (short course)
- 1st overall – SwimRun North Carolina
- 1st overall – SwimRun Lake James
- 1st overall – Long Creek Adventure Race (Solo 4hr), Charlotte, NC
- 1st overall – Ride and Seek Adventure Race, Charlotte, NC
- 2nd overall – SwimRun Myrtle Beach
- 2nd overall – XTERRA Fort Yargo, GA
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 45-49
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified for XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2017 notable accomplishments:
- USAT Offroad Triathlon National Champion: 1st Place (M45-49), 3rd Overall
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 45-49
- 1st overall – XTERRA Fort Yargo, GA
- 1st overall – XTERRA Panther Creek, TN
- 1st overall – SwimRun North Carolina
- 1st overall – SwimRun Virginia
- 1st overall – SwimRun Catawba, Charlotte, NC
- 1st overall – Ride and Seek Adventure Race, Charlotte, NC
- 2nd overall – XTERRA Tsali, Bryson City, NC
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Top American in Division, Team USA at ITU Cross World Championships in Penticton, Canada
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified for XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2016 notable accomplishments:
- USAT Offroad Triathlon National Champion: 1st Place (M45-49), 3rd Overall
- 1st overall at Ride and Seek Adventure Race, Charlotte, NC
- 1st overall – SwimRun Virginia, Richmond, VA
- 3rd overall – SwimRun NC, Danbury, NC
- 2nd Mens – SwimRun USA, Casco Bay, ME
- 2nd overall – XTERRA Whitewater, Charlotte, NC
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 45-49
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Qualified as a member of Team USA and ITU Cross World Championships in Penticton, Canada 2017
- Qualified for USAT Age Group National Championships in Omaha, Nebraska
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified for XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2015 notable accomplishments:
- 1st American Team – OtillO SwimRun World Championships, Sweden
- 4th Mens Team – Rockman SwimRun, Norway
- 2nd at USAT Triathlon Off-Road National Championships, M45-49
- 1st overall at Ride and Seek Adventure Race, Charlotte, NC
- 1st overall at XTERRA Myrtle Beach
- 2nd overall at XTERRA Knoxville
- 3rd overall at WC-50 Ultra Marathon, Charlotte, NC
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 45-49
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Qualified as a member of Team USA and ITU Cross World Championships in New South Wales, Australia 2016
- Qualified for USAT Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified for XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2014 notable accomplishments:
- 2nd at USAT Triathlon Off-Road National Championships, M40-44
- 1st overall at XTERRA Whitewater
- 1st overall at XTERRA Panther Creek
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 40-44
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Qualified as a member of Team USA and ITU Cross World Championships in Sardinia, Italy 2015
- Qualified for USAT Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified for XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2013 notable accomplishments:
- USAT Triathlon Off-road National Champion M40-44, Overall Masters (40 and up)
- 1st overall at XTERRA Clemson
- 3rd overall at XTERRA Whitewater
- USAT Triathlon Off-Road All American, 40-44
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Qualified as a member of Team USA and ITU Cross World Championships in Zittau, Germany 2014
- Qualified for USAT Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Qualified for XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah
- Qualified and raced XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii
2012 notable accomplishments:
- Regional Champion in XTERRA US Points Series in division for the Southeast Region
- Raced as a member of Team USA at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in Pelham, Alabama and finished 12th.
- Qualified for USAT Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Raced the XTERRA National Championships in Ogden, Utah and finished in the top 20.
- 2nd overall at XTERRA Epic Iron Mountain, the first race to count towards the 2013 XTERRA US Points Series
Since I love trail running and mountain biking, it doesn’t take much effort to talk me into going for a group ride or run on the trails, usually scheduled through the Carolina Trail Runner and Mountain Biker Meetup group.
- Name: Marcus Barton
- Height: 5’7″ / 170cm
- Weight: 155 lbs / 70 kg
- Sports: Triathlons, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Road Running, Duathlons
- Mountain Bike: Niner Jet9 RDO
- Tri Bike: Jamis T1
The primary purpose of this site is not only to keep friends and fellow racers up to speed on some great racing, but also to help inspire others in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Having lived both an unhealthy and healthy lifestyle, I would hope that those thinking about getting off the couch and on the trails could see that it is certainly possible, enjoyable and sustainable. I always welcome questions and discussion.
Speedy Lizard 