The Dirty Triathlon

By Andrew Marsh, Points Series Manager

(Canyon Lake, TX - May 22, 2005) “Sunday could be the hottest day of the year” is not what you want to hear the local weatherman say the night before a race. The positive side was that the clear Canyon Lake water was perfect for a 1500-meter, two-loop swim. A water temperature of 77.9 degrees made it a wetsuit-optional swim. Rip Esselstyn (42, Austin), 2004 pro champion, blasted out of the water 4:25 ahead of 2004 age group champ Ivy Koger (31, Boulder, CO). The race was on!

Kathy Keig (42, Austin) defended her 2004 best swim title in 27:45.2 - only 14 seconds up on Jaclynn Fallon (21, Austin). A battle on the bike was abrew’n!

This two-loop bike course is like no other in XTERRA land. Generally you’d expect a next-to-no-elevation gain/lose course to be quick. Not so! Exposed limestone bedrock is the predominate feature here. Challenging rock gardens and ledges kept any tempo gain in check. Throw in the large cactus and scrub cedar and you’ve got one of the most technical courses ever. Will Ross (36, Austin) cranked out the best bike in 1:12:33. Koger made up almost three minutes on Esselstyn with a 1:15:13. Mike Carter (43, Austin) was third-best on the bike in 1:17:26.7. Esselstyn departed T2 in Koger’s cross-hairs only 44 seconds ahead. The fans went nuts, anticipating a dogfight to the finish tape.

The 10-K run is a two-loop as well; half in the open lake-side fields and half back on the rugged wooded trails. The first time race leaders passed transition, Koger had closed the gap and was 28 seconds behind Esselstyn. “There was a point just after the half-way point that Rip [Esselstyn] saw me gaining on him. I could almost hear him say ‘not today my friend,’” as he put the pedal down (top run split 52:18). In the end Esselstyn defended his ’04 win in 2:30:54! Koger repeated as top age group finisher in 2:34:23. Mike Carter maintained his third-place position in 2:39:32. Good for Carter that the run wasn’t any longer. Two-time SC regional champ Kyle Grieser (Marble Falls, TX) was second quickest on the run (52:35.8), finishing fourth overall in 2:41:54.

Out in the heat Jaclynn Fallon passed early leader Kathy Keig to improve from third in 2004 to first in the women’s division in 3:02:55 (ninth overall). Team XTERRA athlete Karen Robertson (46, Grapevine, TX) overcame a shin injury to finish third (3:13:55) and earn another 75 NXPS points. Keig was third in 3:20:41. Congrats ladies!!!

Great fun was had at Pappa Docks Restaurant, hosts of the post-race awards and festivities. Thanks to all the race and series sponsors for great swag!

Many thanks to Jon Hill, the UpHill Productions Staff, the great volunteers, and Canyon Lakes Park for a great day of Texas Hill Country XTERRA fun.

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