Lock 4 Off Road triathlon Challenge

By Andrew Marsh, XTERRA points series manager

(Gallatin, TN - July 10) Race conditions were ideal for the 7th Annual Lock 4 Off-Road Triathlon Challenge. Old Hickory Lake was glass flat and warm, the bike was dry and quick, and the run was shady and cool. Perfect!

The race weekend kicked off with a swim clinic hosted by Craig Evans (26, Spring Hill, TN) and Bruce Gennari (38, Brentwood, TN) Saturday afternoon. Apparently these guys know what they’re talking about as they were one-two out of the water in 09:48 and 09:43 respectively. Boyd Jones (16, Gallatin, TN) of event hosts Excel Aquatics was third ashore in 09:59 getting his relay team off to an excellent start. Patricia Williams-Smith (30-34, Maryville, TN) led all ladies on the 800 yard swim in 14:09. Defending SE Regional Champ Dale Tillman (40-44, Chattanooga, TN) went 14:52 to edge Cynthia Fowler (30-34, Landrum, SC) 15:01 in to transition.

The two-loop bike course is wicked fast and full of fun twists turns and lakeside views. Apparently Jere Pope (44, Smyrna, TN) got a little too “lakeside” when he took an endo down the bank and into Old Hickory Lake! Good samaritan Mike Pearson fished Jere and his bike out of the water before they both continued on. Both were awarded the XTERRA Spirit Award for good sportsmanship and perseverance.

Evans had no such excitement as he ripped a 58:38 for the 12 miles – the only solo athlete to post a sub-hour bike split. Chris Pickerell (17, Collierville, TN) posted the second quickest bike 1:01:16 but was still 5:16 down entering T2! Mike Barro (36, St. Peters, MO) was third quickest on the bike in 1:03:13. Williams, took the bike prime too (1:13:26) departing transition almost three minutes ahead of all ladies. Leslie Trussler (25-29, Manchester, TN) was next out in with a 1:14:53 bike. Katherine Cook (25-29, Roswell, GA) maintained position with a 1:18:07 bike and the fastest ladies T2 time (0:38). Quick!

Evans had nearly lapped the entire field when he took the tape with a finish time of 1:39:53 – marking the third time in as many years that he’s won the Lock 4 OA title. Fresh from a Nissan Xterra East Championship (Richmond) Age Group win Craig is 4 for 4 this season! Pickerell crossed line in second in a total time of 1:46:53. Watch out – this highschooler – schooled all those in attendance at the Iron Will XC ORT (Jonesboro, AR) earlier this year. Barro was third in with a 1:49:23. Renowned as a road triathlete Gennari said post race “I’m no mountain biker! After the third crash I took it easy!” Bruce still claimed 5th OA via the best Swim and Run of the day = 29:13 for 4.5 miles!!!

Gee I wonder why Williams-Smith has been invited to race with several pro adventure race teams this year? Talk about determination and raw speed – Patricia took all three primes ($30 each) and the OA ladies title in 2:03:15 defending her 2004 win. Well done! Trussler and Cook kept their second and third OA positions with 2:12:24 and 2:14:33 respectively.

Eleven relay teams took on the challenge this year. The two man male relay team of Richard Tomkins and Ben Hughes edged out the top mixed relay (Pamela Tanner, Jim Coode, and Bill Boyd) by 59 seconds to cross the line 4th and 5th overall. Athletes and spectators alike were inspired by the fortitude of seven year old Ryan Sorrells who anchored the second place Male Relay team – finishing stride for stride with steps ahead of Dad (William Sorrells) who took on the solo ORT. Congrats!

Kudos to race director Elizabeth Binkley, operation manager Reed Binkley, and the Excel Aquatics crew for another superb edition of the this race. Once again the Gallatin Leisure Services team pulled off one logistical miracle after another – Mahalo! Thanks to sponsors large and small for their support.

See ya’ll next year at the 8th edition of the Lock 4 Off-Road Triathlon Challenge!

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