capitol City DIRT Triathlon

By Andrew Marsh, Nissan Xterra Points Series director

(Hartford, CT – July 17, 2005) A 1000 yard swim across the Connecticut River was the first challenge offered by the Fourth Annual Capital City DIRT Triathlon. A wicked stiff cross-current gave athletes fits as they aimed for the third to last arch in the Bulkeley Bridge. A teaky-torch lined sand bar offered the swimmers a brief rest before splashing back into the 80 degree water.

Experienced and novice swimmers alike battled to maintain position, avoid the bridge abutments and each other, and head to T1 at Great River Park on the east shore. Peter Daly (35, Cheshire, CT) was first to leave transition (Swim & T1 times combined) in 18:07. Kevin Nealon (19, Glastonbury, CT – sorry not of SNL fame) was right on Daly’s tail out of the water but took a bit longer in T1 – departing in 18:31. Thierry Carriere (32, Feeding Hills, MA) was third to hit the run course in 19:12. The ladies swim wasn’t quite as close as Tammie Repass (Enfield, CT) marked a 1:30 minute lead (20:36) over Michelle Pikor (Santa Clara, CA) 22:06 and Andria Duman (NYC, NY) 22:26. The chase was on!

The Cap City DIRT Tri, one of four Swim-Run-Bike ORTs on the XTERRA circuit, is a tour of the Riverfront park system developed and maintained by Riverfront Recapture -a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Hartford’s Riverfront. Many thanks to Craig Mergins, Director of Programs and Operations, and the crew for providing a splendid venue, a well marked course, and wonderful hospitality. The 4 mile run connected Great River Park to Riverside Park via trails. It was a quad burning ascent of the Charter Oak Bridge stairs, a birds eye view of downtown as you crossed the river, a review of the beautiful Riverfont Plaza, and an “under the highway” scramble. Every variety of terrain was found and used on this run.

Daly kept position via the second quickest run of the day 19:34 – pulling into T2 over two minutes up on Gabriel Jiran (33, Hartford) 39:53 (S&R combined). Bob Horn (29, Brick, NJ) ripped a 19:01 to take the day’s Run prime. Barry Lewis (46, Philly, PA) was third quick 19:43, but didn’t get to mix it up in the front having started in the second swim wave.

Beth Harrison (Branford, CT) was fifth to exit T1, but first to depart T2 nearly two minutes up on Mara O’Neil (Saratoga Springs, NY). Vianna Zimbel (Glastonbury, CT) used a quick transition to pass Duman and hit the Bike in third. Chelen Kost (Suffield, CT), Sue Ann Clark (Babylon, NY) and Vianna Zimbel (Glastonbury, CT) ran the top three splits in 25:15, 25:20, and 25:29 respectively.

New in 2005 – the Bike featured two six mile loops and a specific avoidance of poison ivy. While not the most technical – this course had more than enough variety to keep you entertained. Not even half a mile in riders faced a twenty foot drop into a 2 foot deep creek, followed immediately by a scramble up the other side. Hike-a-bike was the norm at this tricky section. The Riverside double track whipped along for another 2.5 mile, reaching the first dike climb of the day.

It went up and tore it back via the double track atop the dike. Returning to the Park, the course traversed the cricket pitch and up a huge “XTERRA” carved into the side of the hill. Esther Aronson (Avon, CT) took a digger on this hill in front of a local photographer – landing her on the front page of Monday’s Hartford Courant. A single-track, a few log jumps, and a fern forest ended the first of two bike loops.

Eric Bowker (36, Willinston, VT) demoed the Bike in 45:51 to come from sixth place to take the first Runner Up spot to Daly, who led from the gun. Daly’s 48:36 bike, third quickest, held off Bowker and Paul Fronhofer’s (26, Argyle, NY) 47:16 split who came from eighth place post run to finish second OA. At the tape in was Daly 1:26:47, Bowker 1:28:34, and Fronhofer 1:31:17. Jilain was fourth in 1:32:45. Fifth and sixth OA came from the second wave as defending NE Regional Champ Ken Robins (42, Cutehogue, NY) passed Lewis in T2 and held him off to take the Masters Towel by 32 seconds. Nice work fellas!

Beth Harrison scorched the Bike in 1:01 flat, to take the women’s OA title in 1:50:51. Mara O’Neil’s bike split was only 00:19 off Harrison’s maintaining the two minute deficit in 1:53:02 for second. Pikor went 00:25 in T2 versus Harrison’s 00:54 taking third in a photo finish 1:53:03. Wow! Who says transition training isn’t important! Amy Lane (Amherst, MA) was third quickest on the bike in 1:01:32. Congrats!

The kick-off race on the 2005 Northeast Region Calendar concluded with plush embroidered towels awarded to the AG Champions, and cut throat push-up, sit-up, and follow-instructions contests for cool sponsor prizes. The craziness ended with beer and donuts for all!

Exciting XTERRA continues in the NE in Grafton NY (Aug 7), Farmington, CT (Aug 21) and on Long Island (Aug 28.) Check your local listings for start times and details.

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