Ogden Off Road Triathlon

By Andrew Marsh, Nissan Xterra Points Series manager

(Ogden, UT – June 26, 2005) So we’re out on the bike course putting out the “blue for bike” arrows and around the corner bike course wrangler Shane says – “Moose!” Low and behold there are two yearling bull moose (or mooses?) on the course. This was the beginning of many amazing features of the 2nd Annual Ogden Off-Road Triathlon held this past weekend at the Snowbasin Resort.

The point-to-point 1000m swim in Pineview Reservoir began with a “warm up swim” out to the “point” adjacent to T1. Three waves hit the 71 degree water (not the 62 rumored earlier) in five minute increments. Karen Lefebre (Co-Race Director of the Moonlight Basin Off-Road Triathlon – Big Sky, MT – July 24th) battled from the third wave to exit the water quickest for the ladies in 12:30 (15th best OA). Julies Evans (44, SLC) was second swiftest in 13:22. Mimi Ford traveled from Tucson, AZ to swim 13:55. It was a draft-fest in the men’s swim as four athletes broke off the front from the gun – Ogden native Christopher Smith (35) was first up the bank to T1 in 11:23. Second quickest swim was a tie – between Volker Riedlinger (33, Clancy, MT) and Matthew Durkin (30, Clearfield, UT) three (3) seconds back in 11:26. XTERRA Pro Dennis Manor (29, Reno, NV) was a split second off in 11:27.

Post-swim athletes had a three-quarter mile rest on State Road 39 as they left T1, crossed the Pineview Dam and hung a left up the Wheeler Creek Canyon. The phrase ‘It’s all downhill from here’ is NOT applicable at this ORT as 90 percent of this bike course is uphill. The first section was a grinder up a rocky double track trail with towering multicolored cliffs on both sides and the Wheeler Creek below. As you hit the Green Pond Trail you look to your right and see the spectacular vision of snowcapped Snowbasin Mountain and realize that the speck at the base of the mountain is T2!!!

Thankfully the mid-week rains had given way to a drying wind leaving the dark soil single track in superb condition. Acre upon acre of wild sunflowers and aspen – combined with endless views – made the next seven miles – (still uphill) – the most visually amazing stretch of trail on the entire XTERRA circuit! Apparently Alex Smith (32, San Fran) didn’t stop to smell the flowers as he blistered the bike in 53:57 (Holy Cow!) - arriving three minutes up on Jeremy Redding (33, Eagle, ID) who ripped a 57:24. Brian Grasky (31, Tucson, AZ) posted a 58:05.

Published as a 12 miler – the bike was shortened to ten (10) miles in respect of Mother Nature’s wishes. Similar to inaugural edition of the OORT – several pair of nesting hawks and, new this year, beaver dams – kept the racers off the last section of single track leading up to Snowbasin Plaza and T2. At this point no one was complaining abut the last mile of uphill road work. Toni Axelrod (32, Vail,CO) bested the ladies Bike with a 1:08:43 – two minutes up on Erin Collins (21, Provo, UT) 1:10:01 and 6th lady to arrive T2. (Combined times = 1:26:24 vs 1:28:22 for Swim,T1 & Bike - keep these numbers in mind.) Kathy Morell (44, Ketchum, ID) had the 3rd quickest Bike – 1:12:04.

Up the mountain they went on the four-mile trail run. Single track, moose poop, creek jumping, and more spectacular views were the norm for the first two uphill miles. Then it really was ‘All downhill from there’ as athletes were guided to the finish by the sounds of a live band, brats on the BBQ, and frosty adult beverages. I guarantee most ran a negative spit! Redding crushed a 23:50 run split – wiping out Smith’s three-minute cushion to take the tape in 1:36:19. Smith was looking over his shoulder as Grasky ran a 25:48. Smith edged him out for 2nd place by twelve seconds. Smith (1:38:23). Grasky (1:38:35). Manor took the pro prize in 1:39:08 – 4th overall.

It literally came down to the wire at the women’s finish as Collins used the best run of 29:57 and a 35-second quicker T2 split to make up the three-minute deficit made by Axlerod. The last hundred meters of the run bombed down the hill toward the finish – the plaza full of spectators, friends, and pets – erupted into a frenzy as the two sprinted home. Axlerod took top honors with a 2:00:10. Collins 2:00:19! Congrats!!!!!

Janae Richardson (23, Ogden) posted the second-quickest run – 30:38. Well done! Seventy-five runners took on the Muddy Moose 10K as the XTERRA racers swam. Taha Mahmood (42) ran 42:27 – again mostly uphill - to edge out James Cutler (42:33) and Shane Martin (42:40). Wow! In all - over 350 athletes made opening day at Snowbasin a truly spectacular time and one of the largest Nissan Xterra Points Series gatherings in XTERRA history. Thank you to the GOAL Foundation, Rooster’s (man I wish we had space to tell you about Friday night’s Off-Road Festival and Packet Pick Up Party – see the XTERRA Chat), Snowbasin, and Lakeside Resort Properties for an incredible experience and wonderful hospitality. You guys ripped a Grand Slam Home Run Slam and Dunk!! Mahalo!

Need more XTERRA Mountain Regional action?

July 16th – Ironcreek ORT – Spearfish, SD = 3pm start.

July 24th – Moonlight Basin ORT – Big Sky, MT.

July 31st – Crested Butte ORT – Crested Butte, CO

August 14th – Nissan Xterra Mountain Championship – Keystone, CO.

Live More! Be there!

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