Conflicting marathon dates have prompted race director Les Wright to move up the Lake Tahoe Marathon to Sept. 30 in 2006.

"We're going to move it up two weeks next year to get some space between us and other events," Wright said.

Wright learned that the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Jose will fall on the LTM's old date next year. That marathon will attract between 10,000 and 20,000 racers, according to Wright.

"The little marathons are dropping out like flies. The big ones are elite machines," Wright said. "We'll never get 20,000 runners because our course is so tough and we have limitations, but we can provide them with good times and good scenery."

The earlier date could prevent the 10-year-old marathon from eventually getting canceled by snowfall. The LTM has been fortunate that the early fall snows the past two years didn't hit on marathon week.

Reiss wins first leg of Triple

Four-time defending Tahoe Triple Marathon winner Sean Meissner of Sisters, Ore., will have to make a big comeback to win a fifth straight title.

Meissner finished sixth and fell more than 27 minutes behind leader Thomas Reiss in the first of three marathons on Thursday. Reiss was the only marathoner to break 3 hours, finishing the first leg from Emerald Bay to Spooner Summit in 2:57:16.

The triathlon started on Thursday with several locals performing well.

Frank Kovac of South Lake Tahoe won the 5-mile kayak in 55 minutes, 25 seconds and Steve Lannoy of South Lake Tahoe took first in the 9-mile kayak in 1:40:33. Staci Baker of Stateline was runner-up in the women's 9-mile kayak race.

Lost TV revenue

The LTM has been televised six times, but TV cameras won't be focused on Saturday's event.

In fact, Wright had to repay the Nevada Commission of Tourism $7,500 because his 26.2-mile run won't be televised. Wright had asked the newly formed city of South Lake Tahoe Business Improvement District for assistance, but BID hasn't generated any money to date while being stalled in court.

"Somebody could come up and buy (the TV rights) and sponsor the whole one-hour program," Wright said.

In past years, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority contributed money for TV coverage, but the LTVA like many government agencies in California have encountered financial difficulties.