(6-7-09) From USATF Press Release - Two-time World Outdoor champion Dwight Phillips and U.S. women's 3,000m steeplechase record holder Jennifer Barringer posted landmark performances Sunday at the 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The Nike Prefontaine Classic is the fifth event of the USA Track & Field Outdoor Visa Championship Series, which will conclude at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, June 25-28.
Dwight is right!
2004 Olympic gold medalist Dwight Phillips leaped back on the world stage in posting the longest jump in the world since National Track & Field Hall of Famer Mike Powell set the world record in 1991.
Phillips easily won the event when he sailed to 8.74 meters/28 feet 8.25 inches, which ties him with Larry Myricks and Erick Walder for the eighth-best outdoor mark in history, and the trio are also tied as the #5 performers all time. For his effort, Phillips was named the Team USA Athlete of the Meet presented by Visa.
"Last week I knew I was jumping far and I was looking at the world record," said Phillips. "I knew I was capable of jumping this far. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season. I'm hungry. I'm excited about the sport again."
With his performance, Phillips takes over the lead from Tyson Gay in the men's Visa Championship Series race with his total of 1,290 points. Gay's sits in second place with 1,285 points.
Barringer joins America's best at 1,500 meters
Ethiopia's Gelete Burka was in command throughout the Nike women's 1,500m until the final straightaway when U.S. women's steeplechase record holder Jenny Barringer put on a furious kick and the two were even at the finish line. Burka just barely defended her Pre Classic title from last year with her time of 3 minutes 59.89 seconds, as Barringer joined Mary Slaney and Suzy Favor as the third American in history to better the four-minute barrier with her time of 3:59.90.
Barringer's performance is the best by an American in seven years, the third-fastest women's 1,500m in the world this year and it betters the previous collegiate record of 4:05.75 by Lindsay Gallo set in 2005.
Merritt sets sea level world's best in 300m
2008 Olympic 400m and 4x400m relay gold medalist LaShawn Merritt was dominant in the men's 300 meters posting the #2 all-time mark and a sea level world best with his winning time of 31.30 seconds. 2006 NCAA 400m champion Xavier Carter was the runner-up in 31.93, with 2004 Olympian Wallace Spearmon finishing third in 32.14.
Richards posts world leader
It was no contest in the women's 400 meters as 2008 Olympic 400m bronze medalist and 4x400m relay gold medalist Sanya Richards showed no mercy to her competitors. Richards left the blocks in a hurry and was never challenged in winning the Nutrilite women's 400m in the fastest time in the world this year of 49.86 seconds.
Richards, who has been ranked #1 in the world at 400m the last four years, finished ahead of Olympic silver medalist Shericka Williams of Jamaica, who crossed the line as the runner-up in 50.72 seconds.
Symmonds pleases the home fans
2008 Olympian and Eugene area resident Nick Symmonds, who won one of the most memorable races in Hayward Field history with his unforgettable victory at last year's Olympic Trials, was victorious again today in the Nike men's 800m. Symmonds grabbed the lead off the final curve and held on for the win in 1:45.86. The runner-up was Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Alfred Yego of Kenya, who crossed the line in 1:46.36, and Oregon Track Club member Christian Smith, who joined Symmonds on the U.S. Beijing Olympic Team, finished third in 1:46.36.
Reigning men's 1,500m and 5,000m world champion Bernard Lagat passed Qatar's Saif Shaheen with 60 meters to go and won going away in the men's 3,000m in 7:35.92. Shaheen was the runner-up in 7:36.87, with Americans Chris Solinsky and Matt Tegenkamp finishing third and fourth respectively, with times of 7:37.05 and 7:37.32.
Perry & Cherry at the finish
Two-time World Outdoor champion Michelle Perry and 2008 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Damu Cherry sailed across the finish line together in the women's 100m hurdles. Although both were clocked in 12.74, it was Perry who was named the victor with Cherry claiming the runner-up spot. Canada's Olympic bronze medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep was third, just one hundredth of a second behind the Americans.
"Batman" beats the world's best
The three Americans who swept the medals in the men's 400m hurdles at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing met again this morning in Eugene. Bershawn 'Batman' Jackson, who won the bronze medal in Beijing, got off to a quick start before clipping the second hurdle. Jackson, who also won last week at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York, recovered quickly and held the lead with 80 meters to go along with Beijing gold medalist Angelo Taylor, silver medalist Kerron Clement and
Jamaica's Isa Phillips. Jackson won the race to the finish line in posting the second-fastest time in the world this year of 43.38 seconds, which he shares with Clement. Phillips was second in 48.55, with Clement third in 48.73 and Taylor placing fourth in 48.79.
Rodgers sets world best in 100m
2008 USA Indoor 60m champion Michael Rodgers, who won last weekend at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York, was victorious again today in the men's 100m posting a new career best and the fastest time in the world this year of 9.94 seconds. Rodgers defeated former world record holder and Olympic relay gold medalist Asafa Powell of Jamaica, who finished second in 10.07 seconds. Two-time Olympic sprint medalist Walter Dix also ran 10.07 in finishing in third place, with 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Travis Padgett placing fourth in 10.08.
After winning last week at the Reebok Grand Prix, Carmelita Jeter continued her winning ways with her victory in the Visa women's 100m. With a +3.2 mps wind at her back, Jeter sailed across the finish line first in 10.85 seconds and remains undefeated this outdoor season. Jamaican Kerron Stewart, who captured the 100m silver medal and 200m bronze medal in Beijing, was the runner-up in 10.90 in suffering her first loss this outdoor season and Olympic Trials champion Muna Lee finished third in 11.02. Jeter holds on to the lead in the women's Visa Championship Series chase with 1,207 points, which is one point better than Sanya Richards.
13 competitors break 4-minutes in Bowerman Mile
2008 Olympic silver medalist Asbel Kiprop of Kenya won the classic Bowerman Mile in 3:48.50, which is the fastest time in the world this year, bettering the previous fastest time this season by nearly six seconds. Kiprop's countryman, Haron Keitany, who ended the 2008 season ranked #1 in the world, was the runner-up in 3:48.78. 2008 Olympian Lopez Lomong led the American contingent with his sixth-place finish in 3:53.47. 13 runners bettered the 4-minute barrier, which equals the Hayward Field record for a single race.
Hoffa leads throwers with world best
2007 World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa won the Visa men's shot put in posting the farthest throw in the world this year on his final attempt that sailed 21.89 meters/71 feet 10 inches. 2008 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Dan Taylor finished second with a toss of 21.29m/69-10.25 and reigning Olympic champion Tomasz Majewski of Poland finished third with a best of 21.26m/69-9.
Stephanie Brown Trafton, who won the 2008 Olympic gold medal in the women's discus on her first throw, did it again with a first attempt winning toss of 63.98m/209-11. 2008 Olympic Trials sixth-place finisher Summer Pierson was second with a toss of 60.53m/198-7.
2008 Olympian Funmi Jimoh, who finished at the Olympic Games in Beijing, won the women's long jump with a best of 6.69m/21-11.50.
In other events, Kenya's Paul Koech won the men's 3,000m steeplechase in 8:13.44, Germany's Betty Heidler won the women's hammer (72.81m/238-10), Ivan Ukhov of Russia won the men's high jump (2.34m/7-8) and Sweden's Alhaji Jeng won the men's pole vault with a best clearance of 5.51m/18-1.
For more information on the 2009 Nike Prefontaine Classic and the USATF Visa Championship Series, visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com.
Complete results and video can be found at www.runnerspace.com.
Tests Show Heart Attack Ended Steve Larsen's Life
(6-4-09) An article published in the June 4, 2009 edition of Bend, Oregon's newspaper, The Bulletin, reveals that it was, in fact, a heart attack that took the life of endurance sports legend Steve Larsen on May 19, 2009. Deschutes County medical examiner Steve Cross released the news Wednesday evening citing that Larsen had atherosclerosis (coronary heart disease) which caused the heart attack.
"Unfortunately, sometimes the first indication of heart disease is sudden death," Cross told The Bulletin.
An autopsy was performed in the days following Larsen's passing, but questions loomed about the circumstances surrounding the death, and his heart was sent to the Midwest for further tests.
Larsen is survived by his wife Carrie and five children. The Steve Larsen Memorial Fund has been set up to help support the family he left behind. Additionally, Triathlete Magazine will be holding an auction near future to support the cause.
"Unfortunately, sometimes the first indication of heart disease is sudden death," Cross told The Bulletin.
An autopsy was performed in the days following Larsen's passing, but questions loomed about the circumstances surrounding the death, and his heart was sent to the Midwest for further tests.
Larsen is survived by his wife Carrie and five children. The Steve Larsen Memorial Fund has been set up to help support the family he left behind. Additionally, Triathlete Magazine will be holding an auction near future to support the cause.
Cascade Lakes Relay Registration Closing July 1
(6-1-09) From Press Release - Registration for the 2nd Annual Cascade Lakes Relay to be held on Friday, July 31 - Saturday, August 1, 2009, will close on July 1.
The Cascade Lakes Relay is a 216-mile, 12 person running relay starting from Diamond Lake Resort, and travels through the diverse terrain of the Oregon Outback to the picturesque Cascade Lakes region, finishing in Bend, OR at the National Award winning community of NorthWest Crossing. Comprised of 36 legs varying in length of 3~8.7 miles, the CLR is both challenging and rewarding as your team competes in the longest relay race in the United States.
The Walk and High School Challenge Relay is 132 miles and starts from Silver Lake, and consists of 12 person teams competing for 24 legs consisting of 3~8.7 mile legs. For more information, please go to www.CascadeLakesRelay.com.
The Cascade Lakes Relay is a 216-mile, 12 person running relay starting from Diamond Lake Resort, and travels through the diverse terrain of the Oregon Outback to the picturesque Cascade Lakes region, finishing in Bend, OR at the National Award winning community of NorthWest Crossing. Comprised of 36 legs varying in length of 3~8.7 miles, the CLR is both challenging and rewarding as your team competes in the longest relay race in the United States.
The Walk and High School Challenge Relay is 132 miles and starts from Silver Lake, and consists of 12 person teams competing for 24 legs consisting of 3~8.7 mile legs. For more information, please go to www.CascadeLakesRelay.com.
2009 USA 100K Team Announced for World Cup in Belgium - NW Runners Make the Cut
(5-28-09) From Running USA Wire #42-05-09 - USA Track & Field has announced the 2009 USA 100K Team that will compete in the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) 100K World Cup on Friday, June 19 in Torhout, Belgium.
This year's team includes one new member and the rest veterans of the 2008 squad. The following athletes will represent Team USA.
MEN
Todd Braje (McKinleyville, Calif.) will be competing on his first USA 100K national team in Belgium. Since beginning ultra competitions in 2007, Braje has set course records at three races over the last two years including the Jed Smith 50 mile and the McKenzie River 50K.
Greg Crowther (Seattle, Wash.), the 2007 USA 50K and 100K road champion was a member of the fourth place men's team that competed in the 2005 World Cup 100K in Japan, where he finished 20th individually. In 2007, as a member of the 2007 US 100K team, he finished in 11th.
Adam Lint (Seattle, Wash.) will be competing with the USA 100K team for the second time in Belgium. Lint post three top finishes at U.S. Championship events in 2008 (3rd 50K road 3:14, 3rd 100K road 7:19 and runner-up 50 mile trail 6:59).
Howard Nippert (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will compete on his 11th USA national team (1993 World University Games, 1999-2003, 2005-2009 IAU World 100K Cup). Nippert has seven top 15 finishes and four top 10 finishes and was the top U.S. finisher at the World Cup for six consecutive years.
Chad Ricklefs (Boulder, Colo.) has been competing in ultramarathons at a national level since 1998 and reached an all-time high in his career in 2007, placing 17th overall at the 2007 IAU 100K World Cup. He is a former USA 100K road champion (2002) and the USA 50 Mile titlist in 2004.
Steve Stowers (Berkeley, Calif.) placed second in the 2008 USA 100K Championships at the Mad City 100K in Madison, Wisconsin, running 7:14. This is Stowers' second time on a U.S. 100K team.
Michael Wardian (Arlington, Va.) won the 2008 USA 100K Championships at the Mad City 100K in 6:56:57 where he earned his automatic qualifier. Wardian also won the 2008-09 USA 50K Road Championships, the 2008 USA 50 Mile Trial Championships and finished second in the 2008 USA Trail Marathon Championships. Wardian also has competed in the last two Olympic Marathon Trials (2004, 2008).
WOMEN
Meghan Arbogast (Corvallis, Ore.) will run on her second national team after a very successful inaugural event last year in Italy, where she ran 7:52:21 to finish in sixth place. She comes from a background of road marathons where she has competed in the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Annette Bednosky (Jefferson, N.C.) will compete on her first U.S. 100K team. Recently, she was also a member of the 2009 USA 24 Hour Team that competed at the World Challenge in Bergamo, Italy, placing ninth overall woman with 129.6 miles, leading Team USA to the team silver medal.
Devon Crosby-Helms (San Francisco, Calif.) will compete in her third World team after placing 10th in 2008 in Italy with a time of 8:01:52. With just three years of ultrarunning experience, she has posted impressive results both on roads and trails.
Connie Gardner (Medina, Ohio) is a seven-time U.S. 100K team member and four-time U.S. 24 Hour team member. Gardner has won multiple USA ultra-running titles including the 2003 USA 100K title, the 2006 USA 100 Mile Trail title and the 2003-04 USA 100 Mile crowns.
Kami Semick (Bend, Ore.) the 2009 USA 50K Road champion excels on both road and trails, ranging in distances from the marathon to 100K. This is Semick's fourth consecutive U.S. 100K team. Last year in Tarquinia, Italy, Semick earned an individual silver medal in the World Cup 100K, and led the United States to a team silver medal.
Carolyn Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.) is a versatile ultra-distance runner competing at distances ranging from the marathon to the 24-Hour run. She is the 2008 USA 100K champion and a former 24-Hour National Champion. Smith has competed in the Olympic Marathon Trials and has represented the USA on both the 100K and 24 hour national teams. At the 2005 World 24 hour Championship, she finished 11th and helped the U.S. women's team secure the bronze medal.
STAFF
Staff for this year's squad includes team leaders Lin Gentling (Rochester, Minn.), Mike Spinnler (Hagerstown, Md.) and team physician Lion Caldwell (Cape May, N.J.).
For information on the IAU 100K World Cup, visit: www.iau.org.tw
This year's team includes one new member and the rest veterans of the 2008 squad. The following athletes will represent Team USA.
MEN
Todd Braje (McKinleyville, Calif.) will be competing on his first USA 100K national team in Belgium. Since beginning ultra competitions in 2007, Braje has set course records at three races over the last two years including the Jed Smith 50 mile and the McKenzie River 50K.
Greg Crowther (Seattle, Wash.), the 2007 USA 50K and 100K road champion was a member of the fourth place men's team that competed in the 2005 World Cup 100K in Japan, where he finished 20th individually. In 2007, as a member of the 2007 US 100K team, he finished in 11th.
Adam Lint (Seattle, Wash.) will be competing with the USA 100K team for the second time in Belgium. Lint post three top finishes at U.S. Championship events in 2008 (3rd 50K road 3:14, 3rd 100K road 7:19 and runner-up 50 mile trail 6:59).
Howard Nippert (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will compete on his 11th USA national team (1993 World University Games, 1999-2003, 2005-2009 IAU World 100K Cup). Nippert has seven top 15 finishes and four top 10 finishes and was the top U.S. finisher at the World Cup for six consecutive years.
Chad Ricklefs (Boulder, Colo.) has been competing in ultramarathons at a national level since 1998 and reached an all-time high in his career in 2007, placing 17th overall at the 2007 IAU 100K World Cup. He is a former USA 100K road champion (2002) and the USA 50 Mile titlist in 2004.
Steve Stowers (Berkeley, Calif.) placed second in the 2008 USA 100K Championships at the Mad City 100K in Madison, Wisconsin, running 7:14. This is Stowers' second time on a U.S. 100K team.
Michael Wardian (Arlington, Va.) won the 2008 USA 100K Championships at the Mad City 100K in 6:56:57 where he earned his automatic qualifier. Wardian also won the 2008-09 USA 50K Road Championships, the 2008 USA 50 Mile Trial Championships and finished second in the 2008 USA Trail Marathon Championships. Wardian also has competed in the last two Olympic Marathon Trials (2004, 2008).
WOMEN
Meghan Arbogast (Corvallis, Ore.) will run on her second national team after a very successful inaugural event last year in Italy, where she ran 7:52:21 to finish in sixth place. She comes from a background of road marathons where she has competed in the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Annette Bednosky (Jefferson, N.C.) will compete on her first U.S. 100K team. Recently, she was also a member of the 2009 USA 24 Hour Team that competed at the World Challenge in Bergamo, Italy, placing ninth overall woman with 129.6 miles, leading Team USA to the team silver medal.
Devon Crosby-Helms (San Francisco, Calif.) will compete in her third World team after placing 10th in 2008 in Italy with a time of 8:01:52. With just three years of ultrarunning experience, she has posted impressive results both on roads and trails.
Connie Gardner (Medina, Ohio) is a seven-time U.S. 100K team member and four-time U.S. 24 Hour team member. Gardner has won multiple USA ultra-running titles including the 2003 USA 100K title, the 2006 USA 100 Mile Trail title and the 2003-04 USA 100 Mile crowns.
Kami Semick (Bend, Ore.) the 2009 USA 50K Road champion excels on both road and trails, ranging in distances from the marathon to 100K. This is Semick's fourth consecutive U.S. 100K team. Last year in Tarquinia, Italy, Semick earned an individual silver medal in the World Cup 100K, and led the United States to a team silver medal.
Carolyn Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.) is a versatile ultra-distance runner competing at distances ranging from the marathon to the 24-Hour run. She is the 2008 USA 100K champion and a former 24-Hour National Champion. Smith has competed in the Olympic Marathon Trials and has represented the USA on both the 100K and 24 hour national teams. At the 2005 World 24 hour Championship, she finished 11th and helped the U.S. women's team secure the bronze medal.
STAFF
Staff for this year's squad includes team leaders Lin Gentling (Rochester, Minn.), Mike Spinnler (Hagerstown, Md.) and team physician Lion Caldwell (Cape May, N.J.).
For information on the IAU 100K World Cup, visit: www.iau.org.tw
All Comer Track Meets Return to Portland This Summer
(5-28-09) From Press Release - Portland Parks and Recreation and Foot Traffic are pleased to announce that there will be five all comer track meets at U.S. Grant High School in Portland this summer beginning Tuesday, June 16. The meets start at 6 p.m. and end at approximately 8:00 p.m. with the running of the 4k park run and family 4x100 relays. Field events include the high jump, long jump, softball throw, and shot put. The running events are the 60 meters for kids 10 and under and 100 meters for athletes 11 and older. All athletes are welcome to run the 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meter distances. The featured event is the predict mile in which the winner is not the first person across the line, rather the person who comes closest to their predicted time. Cost is $2 per athlete or $5 per family. For information call David at (503) 206-1071 or Foot Traffic at (503) 284 0345 or visit www.foottraffic.us.
Race Report: 2009 Heart of the Valley Triathlon
(5-27-09) Submitted by Dave Campbell - What a field for this fun little race...and what a nice day. The "recently resurrected and reconfigured" Heart of the Valley Sprint Tri was held Monday (Memorial Day) at the Osborne Aquatic Center in Corvallis, OR. It took six heats with six swimmers apiece in the eight-lane pool to get everyone through the 750-meter swim and out onto the 20-kilometer bike and 5k run course. The festivities also included a duathlon (won by Dave Florence of Canby in 1:13:02 and local Olivia Klinkner in 1:31:36 for the 5k Run/20k Bike/5k Run format) and kids triathlons.
26-year-old local John Arzner flew through the swim in just 9:56 to take the first lead, but was soon eclipsed by John Boal, another Corvallis athlete who was more experienced on the bike and only 12 seconds behind out of the water. 39-year-old Warren Bloomberg of Salem, a strong athlete in all three disciplines, unfortunately, missed out on his chance to challenge for the overall title when he blew right through the first bike turnaround shortly after taking the lead and rode extra mileage to eventually hit Highway 99 headed out of town. He recovered to amazingly win the 35-39 age group (1:09:17) but his race for the overall was over.
This is where I came into the picture...seventh out of the water (11:33) but the torturous, windswept, relentlessly hilly bike course was just my style, albeit a pain-inducing ride. Riders truly used every cog on their cassette to navigate this hilly little serpentine suffer-fest. Although I came into T2 with a large lead, I was reminded that no lead in these "pool swim tri's" is safe, due to the 10 second starting intervals, earlier heats, and the presence of many strong runners, four of whom ran under 18 minutes on the day. The best bike split, in fact, was not me (32:19) but rather my nemesis from the WOU Sprint Tri last month, 23-year-old Brendan Treacy (a self professed swim hater) of Corvallis (31:46) clawing back from a 15:08 swim that had him out of the water in 91st place.
Brendan did, in fact, log the fastest run of the day (17:27) and won the 20-24 age group but he fell 1:09 short of catching the oldest guy (40) in the top 10...me! My time (1:04:45) was about a minute slower than when I won this event overall in 2007 but it was nonetheless a fun day and an effort I could be proud of. 22-year-old Zach Yeager of Lake Oswego was a close 3rd, only 3 seconds behind Treacy. 4th overall Sam Bradshaw, also of LO, won the 30-34 age class, while local Eric Edgar, 10th overall in 1:10:48 was top 25-29.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of triathlons for me, a high school teacher, is running into so many former students who now race. This time it was Trevor Hoagland, a Taft Graduate and rival in Cross Country and Track who now is part of the OSU Tri Club and fiercely competitive. Keep an eye on this young man...7th overall and the winner of the 19 and under age group while still on an old road bike and new to the game.
The women's race also rewarded "experience" with local Susan Fox coming 8th out of the water (right behind me) and leading the whole way through to break the tape in 1:10:28, an impressive 10th best overall! The bike was the key on such a challenging course and no one came close to Fox's 36:22. It was over six minutes before second placed 43-year-old Jennifer Henkel of Bend finished in second. Third overall, Tara Rich of McMinville, won the 35-39 age group, and fourth overall woman Tracy Phillips of McMinville took the 30-34s. Megan Sullivan of Springfield was fifth and 25-29 champion while 22-year-old Ann Carson (fastest women's runner in 19:44) won the 20-24 in 1:23:31. The fastest relay on the day was an all-woman team from Portland and Lake Oswego - "The Way you Move" - with Jill Schuldt swimming and running and Natasha Dolezal biking.
Our Northwest triathlon community lost a talented athlete and a true sporting icon this week suddenly, tragically, and way before his time - Steve Larsen of Bend. I have known Steve for 24 years, having met him at the Junior December Cycling Camp at the Olympic Training Center in 1985. He was, quite simply, the most talented rider of my generation and was a major factor in National and International Road, Mountain, Cyclocross, and Triathlon events for over 20 years. He, in fact, is the only rider to compete in the World Championships in all cycling disciplines as well as triathlon. He was also a doting father and a driven businessman who lived his life to the absolute fullest and gave everything he did his very best. As a competitor he was absolutely fierce and unrelenting but off-the-bike was easy-going and fun. He may be gone but his example remains and it is a fine one to follow.
With the "pool swim" triathlon season is now unofficially over and such Pacific Northwest triathlon open water institutions as Blue Lake and Pacific Crest await us in the coming weeks. Warm, dry weather is here to stay and as we were so poignantly reminded: we never know what exactly tomorrow holds, so we better seize the day we have in front of us. Train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
Complete results for the Heart of the Valley Triathlon & Duathlon can be found at www.racecenter.com.
26-year-old local John Arzner flew through the swim in just 9:56 to take the first lead, but was soon eclipsed by John Boal, another Corvallis athlete who was more experienced on the bike and only 12 seconds behind out of the water. 39-year-old Warren Bloomberg of Salem, a strong athlete in all three disciplines, unfortunately, missed out on his chance to challenge for the overall title when he blew right through the first bike turnaround shortly after taking the lead and rode extra mileage to eventually hit Highway 99 headed out of town. He recovered to amazingly win the 35-39 age group (1:09:17) but his race for the overall was over.
This is where I came into the picture...seventh out of the water (11:33) but the torturous, windswept, relentlessly hilly bike course was just my style, albeit a pain-inducing ride. Riders truly used every cog on their cassette to navigate this hilly little serpentine suffer-fest. Although I came into T2 with a large lead, I was reminded that no lead in these "pool swim tri's" is safe, due to the 10 second starting intervals, earlier heats, and the presence of many strong runners, four of whom ran under 18 minutes on the day. The best bike split, in fact, was not me (32:19) but rather my nemesis from the WOU Sprint Tri last month, 23-year-old Brendan Treacy (a self professed swim hater) of Corvallis (31:46) clawing back from a 15:08 swim that had him out of the water in 91st place.
Brendan did, in fact, log the fastest run of the day (17:27) and won the 20-24 age group but he fell 1:09 short of catching the oldest guy (40) in the top 10...me! My time (1:04:45) was about a minute slower than when I won this event overall in 2007 but it was nonetheless a fun day and an effort I could be proud of. 22-year-old Zach Yeager of Lake Oswego was a close 3rd, only 3 seconds behind Treacy. 4th overall Sam Bradshaw, also of LO, won the 30-34 age class, while local Eric Edgar, 10th overall in 1:10:48 was top 25-29.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of triathlons for me, a high school teacher, is running into so many former students who now race. This time it was Trevor Hoagland, a Taft Graduate and rival in Cross Country and Track who now is part of the OSU Tri Club and fiercely competitive. Keep an eye on this young man...7th overall and the winner of the 19 and under age group while still on an old road bike and new to the game.
The women's race also rewarded "experience" with local Susan Fox coming 8th out of the water (right behind me) and leading the whole way through to break the tape in 1:10:28, an impressive 10th best overall! The bike was the key on such a challenging course and no one came close to Fox's 36:22. It was over six minutes before second placed 43-year-old Jennifer Henkel of Bend finished in second. Third overall, Tara Rich of McMinville, won the 35-39 age group, and fourth overall woman Tracy Phillips of McMinville took the 30-34s. Megan Sullivan of Springfield was fifth and 25-29 champion while 22-year-old Ann Carson (fastest women's runner in 19:44) won the 20-24 in 1:23:31. The fastest relay on the day was an all-woman team from Portland and Lake Oswego - "The Way you Move" - with Jill Schuldt swimming and running and Natasha Dolezal biking.
Our Northwest triathlon community lost a talented athlete and a true sporting icon this week suddenly, tragically, and way before his time - Steve Larsen of Bend. I have known Steve for 24 years, having met him at the Junior December Cycling Camp at the Olympic Training Center in 1985. He was, quite simply, the most talented rider of my generation and was a major factor in National and International Road, Mountain, Cyclocross, and Triathlon events for over 20 years. He, in fact, is the only rider to compete in the World Championships in all cycling disciplines as well as triathlon. He was also a doting father and a driven businessman who lived his life to the absolute fullest and gave everything he did his very best. As a competitor he was absolutely fierce and unrelenting but off-the-bike was easy-going and fun. He may be gone but his example remains and it is a fine one to follow.
With the "pool swim" triathlon season is now unofficially over and such Pacific Northwest triathlon open water institutions as Blue Lake and Pacific Crest await us in the coming weeks. Warm, dry weather is here to stay and as we were so poignantly reminded: we never know what exactly tomorrow holds, so we better seize the day we have in front of us. Train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
Complete results for the Heart of the Valley Triathlon & Duathlon can be found at www.racecenter.com.
Pro Triathletes Kelsay and Kummer Visit Portland Tri Clubs
(5-26-09) From Press Release - Professional triathletes, Will Kelsay and Erin Kummer, visit local triathlon clubs to inform Portlanders on XTERRA off-road triathlons June 1-4.
Kelsay, also known as "Mr. XTERRA 2007," teams up with Kummer, in her freshman year of racing with "professional" status, to spread their love for the extreme sport. The two will speak at the Portland Tri Club June 1 at 7 p.m. and the Gecko Tri Club June 2 at 7 p.m. explaining the difference between road and off-road triathlons and the history and tradition of XTERRA triathlons. They will also describe the XTERRA Portland mountain bike course around Hagg Lake in Forest Grove while showing fresh video coverage from their pre ride. The professionals, currently residing in Boulder, Colo., will also lead a training run with Team Ironheads Multisport June 3 at 6 p.m. The Timex sponsored triathletes will also give away swag items to attendees and will offer a raffle opportunity to win a Timex watch at each club. Discounted registration for XTERRA Portland will be available at each club event.
Interested athletes can find out more by logging onto: www.pdxtriclub.org, www.geckotriclub.com, and www.ironheadsmultisport.com
June 4, Kelsay and Kummer leave Portland for the XTERRA Northwest Cup Farragut during Adventure Sports Week June 6 in Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho. The dynamic duo will return August 15 for XTERRA Portland.
Track Kelsay and Kummer's 2009 race adventures across the United States via their instructional and comical videos online: www.erinandwillsadventures.blogspot.com.
Kelsay, also known as "Mr. XTERRA 2007," teams up with Kummer, in her freshman year of racing with "professional" status, to spread their love for the extreme sport. The two will speak at the Portland Tri Club June 1 at 7 p.m. and the Gecko Tri Club June 2 at 7 p.m. explaining the difference between road and off-road triathlons and the history and tradition of XTERRA triathlons. They will also describe the XTERRA Portland mountain bike course around Hagg Lake in Forest Grove while showing fresh video coverage from their pre ride. The professionals, currently residing in Boulder, Colo., will also lead a training run with Team Ironheads Multisport June 3 at 6 p.m. The Timex sponsored triathletes will also give away swag items to attendees and will offer a raffle opportunity to win a Timex watch at each club. Discounted registration for XTERRA Portland will be available at each club event.
Interested athletes can find out more by logging onto: www.pdxtriclub.org, www.geckotriclub.com, and www.ironheadsmultisport.com
June 4, Kelsay and Kummer leave Portland for the XTERRA Northwest Cup Farragut during Adventure Sports Week June 6 in Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho. The dynamic duo will return August 15 for XTERRA Portland.
Track Kelsay and Kummer's 2009 race adventures across the United States via their instructional and comical videos online: www.erinandwillsadventures.blogspot.com.
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