(10-31-05) Submitted by Kirk Rose - Several area athletes traveled to Hawaii to compete in the ITU World Age Group Championships on October 9, 2005. The following Northwest age groupers among the competitors representing the United States included the following:
Richard Earle, M45-49 (Salem, OR)
Jim Gulasky, M60-64 (Lebanon, OR)
Becky Obletz, F45-49 (Portland, OR)
Sandra Wiebe, F55-59 (Vancouver, WA)
Gar Hakney, M55-59 (Boise, ID)
Paul Decoursey, M55-59 (Boise, ID)
Kirk Rose, M55-59 (Albany, OR)
Madonna Buder, F75+ (Spokane, WA)
While there were other Northwest athletes this was a very strong contingency of 'older athletes'.
Sandra Wiebe pulled off a fantastic double along with the "ageless" Sister Madonna Buder. Sandy won the 55-59 Female Age Group at the ITU age group championship and then, in record setting time, won the her division at the Ford Ironman World Championships Kona, HI the following week. Sister Madonna also won her age group (women 75-79) at the ITU age group championship, and then went on to win the women's 75+ category at Ironman Hawaii the next week. And just seven weeks earlier, Sister Madonna became the oldest female to compete and Ironman distance triathlon.
Portland’s Becky Obletz was 5th in Honolulu in her age group 45-49, Jim Gulaskey at 19th in the Men 60-64, Paul Decoursey at 8th in the 55-59 male category. It was a tough day for the 55-59 age group as they started over two and a half hours later than the first group and the surf, trade winds and heat became big factors. Some participants received medical treatment on the run for heat related conditions.
Many athletes from around the world converged on the islands of Hawaii in October and our local athletes represented the Pacific Northwest well -- and certainly deserve recognition for their efforts at the end of the 2005 triathlon season.
Editor's Note: This report had been submitted to us for publishing, but originally omitted Sister Madonna Buder's astonishing performance. RaceCenter regrets the error. Special thanks to Barbara Larrain (an accomplished masters triathlete from Portland) for informing us of our omission.
