REAL Mountain Bike Triathlon

By Andrew Marsh, Points Series Manager
Photos courtesy of Bret Sarnquist, RightAngle Images

(Granite Bay, CA – April 3, 2005) The 3rd Annual REAL MTB Triathlon kicked off the 2005 XTERRA season in fine fashion as nearly 200 athletes hit the 57 degree Folsom Lake. Thanks to a 37% increase in snow fall from last year and a heavy melt the lake was high and extra chilly – wetsuits and neoprene caps were the norm for the .5 mile swim. Saturday’s spectacular weather gave way to thickening clouds and a brisk wind on race morning – giving the TBF Racing staff fits as he had to chase down a loose buoy before the first athlete arrived.

TraskPro triathlete Kaley Parkinson (Martinez, CA) led the way up the beach in 0:11:02 – seconds ahead of amateur Kristopher Danforth (Reno, NV, M25-29, SW, 0:11:09). John Trask (Carlsbad, CA M30-34, SW) was third best with a 0:11:45.

Kristin Soto (San Fran, F25-29, SW) gave reigning XTERRA USA, World, and European Pro Tour Champ Jamie Whitmore a swim for her money with a 0:12:53 – a short five seconds down on J-Dawg. Aracelly Clouse (Cameron Park, CA 30-34, SW) was third quickest 0:13:41.

Post race comments did not favor the early season cold water. Kem Akol (Santa Cruz, CA, M 45-49, SW) noted “My swim was way off from last year – I hit that cold water and the mammalian gasping reflex kicked in – I never caught my breath”. Editor’s note: Dude! It was only 58 degrees last year – I think it’s either in your head or you haven’t been swimming.

Parkinson maintained his short lead for the first of two eight mile bike laps. Danforth and XTERRA Pro Justin Thomas (Reno, NV) were hot on his trail.
This is a REAL MTB course with something for everyone – sweet twisted single track, open meadow double track, rock gardens, mud pits, climbs, drops, a monster “up to yer hubs” puddle, and two massive sand pits 100’ from Transition. Challenging? Yes! Totally XTERRA? Absolutely!

The move from the Washington, DC suburbs to Reno last fall must be agreeing with Justin’s training regiment – as he not only caught but smoked early leader Danforth by two minutes 1:17:04 to 1:19:08 elapsed time into transition. The second amateur (4th OA) into transition was Lake Sonoma Off-Road Tri Race Director Romolo Forchino (San Carlos, CA 30-34) picking up 26 positions after the swim! The fastest bike split of the day goes to Tony Pelosi (Roseville, CA 25-29) who took the home court advantage to a new level with a 1:02:29 = two and one half minutes faster then Pro Justin Thomas!!

Whitmore was the sixth athlete into T1 with a 1:09:50 bike – seven minutes up on Clouse. Amber Montorte (Reno, NV 25-29) and Laura Home (Santa Cruz, CA 30-34) left transition stride for stride after her with 1:32:08 and 1:32:49 elapsed times. Laura was pleased to simply get through the entire bike course after a nasty crash in the sand pits in the 2004 race sent her to the hospital. Ouch!

The three mile, one loop, trail run features lake side views, meadows filled with wild orange poppies and purple lupins, grinding uphills, and just enough mud to keep you honest. Unfortunately the winters record rains washed out too much of the famous Korak Attach hill forcing a temporary reroute around this challenge. The “Big Nasty” hill was sufficient for most. Thomas added to his lead with a 0:20:17 run. The second fastest run split, 0:21:45, went to Reno Pro Triathlete Dennis Manor. Danforth maintained position with a 0:21:5.

DanforthAt the end it was Thomas winning comfortably in 1:37:21. Amateur (should go pro) Kristopher Danforth took second OA in 1:41:06, Parkinson 3rd (1:42:24), Forcino 4th
(1:43:55). 2004 OA Champion Conrad Snover (Truckee, CA 30-34) cruised to ninth place after a winter of snow hampered training and wedding planning. Courtney Cardenas (Jamie’s other half) finished 14th OA complete with wicked poison oak that swelled up his arms to Popeye proportions.

Jamie took the ladies title in 1:46:49 (12th OA). Aracelly Clouse defended her REAL MTB title in 1:53:58. Amber Monforte (1:57:13) and Laura Home (1:57:470 duked it out to the end with only 0:34 separating them at the tape.

Post race awards were met with brightening skies and diminished winds. With as many as thirty-seven in an AG (M30-34) – athletes welcomed the new 15 deep XTERRA Points System introduced this season.

The first XTERRA Spirit Award of 2005 was awarded to Bobby McMullen (Redding, CA 40-44, SW) – a true inspiration to all in attendance. Bobby has dealt with the affects of diabetes since he was twelve – over time his condition worsened requiring that he endure two rounds of kidney and pancreas transplant operations. By the age of 32 he had lost his sight in one eye and has greatly diminished use of the other. Undeterred Bobby maintains his active lifestyle by skiing, cycling and now XTERRA! With the support of guide Austin Murphy calling out directions Bobby tackled the REAL course full tilt. In a post race note he said “ WELL, I COMPLETED A SWIM THAT WAS AS DIFFICULT AS I COULD IMAGINE. TOUGH CONDITIONS FOR MY POOR GUIDE AS WE WERE SEPARATED AT THE START AND STRUGGLED TO CONNECT THROUGHOUT. HE DID A GREAT JOB AND WITH MANY DETOURS ON MY PART OUT THERE IN LOVELY LAKE FOLSEM, AUSTIN GOT ME TO THE SHORE SAFELY. FUNNY, I SWAM WITH MANY OUT THERE THINKING THEY WERE HIM AND AM SURE THEY WERE THINKING "I WISH THIS GUY WOULD LEAVE ME ALONE!” WHAT CAN I SAY, NO WHERE EXCEPT WITH TBF RACING AND XTERRA CAN YOU GET IN THE WATER WITH WORLD AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, ON THE SAME COURSE AND SAME CONDITIONS, AT THE SAME TIME. NO OTHER SPORT, ANYWHERE. WHAT A RUSH, CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN!

Wow! Now that is XTERRA Spirit! Bobby and girlfriend Therese Conner are gunning for Nationals. Therese took home 5th place Points and look forward to the challenges of the Nissan Xterra West Chanpionships in Temecula (May 14-15th), the Sisters High Cascade ORT (Sisters, OR Aug.21st) and Lake Sonoma ORT (Geyserville, CA Aug. 28th) ORTs later in the season.

Some REAL XTERRAists will take their freshly earned Points to the XTERRA Saipan Championship or the Big Blue ORT this weekend in the attempt to strengthen their leads early in the fifth season of Nissan Xterra Point Series Racing.

Congrats to Bill, Mark, and the entire TBF Racing crew! Many thanks to the Granite Bay Park for their support and patience. Mahalo to the XTERRAist - veterans and newbies alike! A great weekend of multisport fun was had by one and all!

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