SBART Sportsperson of the Month: Lee Carter

When he’s not in court trying cases, Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter usually can be found on the local roads running or riding a bike.

And, if there is a local race on the weekends, Carter will be there in the capacity of a volunteer coach, or as a member of the race support team, or as a part of the timing crew.

And, if the local police department needs help preparing its recruits for the physical rigors of the academy, or training officers for the bike patrol, Carter is their man.

For all he does in the community, Carter was honored by the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table as its Sportsperson of the Month at Monday’s press luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.

A former bike race, Carter is a dedicated triathlete. He has twice completed the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

Carter has served as a coach for the Team in Training group and donated any money he received back to the program.

For virtually every major running event in town, Carter works with his friend, Wally Marrantette, in timing the race. Often times, they’ll run the course before the event to make sure the distance is accurate.

“He participates as relay runner for Special Olympics and can be found ‘just helping out‘ on events from the Santa Barbara Athletic Association races to the Carpinteria Triathlon to the State Street Mile,” said SBART president-elect Laurie Leighty in presenting the award. “The one constant is that he always contributes as a volunteer, refuses to be compensated and, if it is a paid position, he simply contributes the money back to support the participants. And, he always does it with a smile on his face.”