XTERRA ACE Big Canyon Post Race Report

By, Jen Trapp, XTERRA Rep
Photos By Julie Black – www.iplayoutside.com

Going to ACE always feels like going home – we have been there so many times, and it is such a wonderful event with awesome people that it doesn’t feel like another weekend of work.  It is hanging out with buddies in the middle of one incredible event!!

Located in the New River Gorge area of West Virginia, ACE Adventure Center is home base for the 7th Annual XTERRA ACE Big Canyon.  From the first year with a multi loop swim in the little pond, to all the following years with a rippin’ swim down the New River, the folks at ACE have always made XTERRA and the athletes feel welcome.  Race morning began with the familiar bus ride to the swim start – yes, that’s right, the bus ride to the swim start.  We gather all the athletes put them on two rafting busses, and shuttle them down to the swim.  And of course, it wouldn’t be ACE without a slight hint of drizzle coming down!  The first stop is the swim exit where everyone gets out and sets up their Swim to Run transition (yes, it is a swim, run, bike).  Then it is back on the bus for the longest mile and a half drive ever.  Everyone is looking out the window at the river to see how strong the current is and thinking – I have to swim ALL this way?  Then once at the swim start the athletes stand on the shore of the second oldest river in the world and get ready to follow the kayakers down the river.  No buoys here – follow the paddlers and they will keep you in the deeper water with a good current – it will be the fastest swim you ever did!  First out of the water was Konrad Heller (37 – Fredericksburg, VA) in 22:20 – for a mile and a half!  He was closely followed by Thomas Biddle (16 – Montgomery, OH) in 22:24 in his first ever triathlon and Mark Junkermann (42 – Richmond, VA) who finished up in 23:44.  The women were just as fast with Whitney Johnson (37 – King George, VA), Denelle Grant (32 – Charlottesville, VA) and Antoinette Mesman (27- Blue Ash, OH) all coming out under 26 minutes in 25:08, 25:27 and 25:52. 

Next up – the run back to ACE – a 7 mile awesome course with a 1000 foot elevation gain.    It starts off with a bit of a flat run along the river and over the railroad track (thankfully no trains coming!).  Then you start a nice climb before getting onto the singletrack and scrambling your way back to the MountainTop.  Where else do you have a run course that takes most people longer to do than the bike course?!  The fastest split of the day went to Bob Horn (31- Brick, NJ) with a 1:01:02 – not bad!  Geo Toomey (42 – Bethel Park, PA) was very close with a 1:01:59.  Junkermann posted the third fastest split with a 1:04:29.  For the ladies it was Emily Chaney (26 – Maryville, TN) pulling a 1:17:07 – on only 4 hours of sleep after driving cross country!  Whitney Johnson and Denelle Grant also posted great splits with 1:18:04 and 1:18:39.

Then comes the fun part – the awesome 11 mile mountainbike ride through some of the most incredible East Coast Single Track.  This course rocks!  And, it is usually muddy – even without rain.  But today, was picture perfect – a few puddles, but just damp enough to let the tires grip and fly!!  Chris Pickerell (20 – Harrisburg, PA) stunned the crows with a 56:44!  Konrad Heller was close behind with a 57:06 and Bob Horn posted a 1:01:11.  Sue Wagner (28 – Fayetteville, WV) bested the ladies field by posting a 1:11:27 – almost 5 minutes faster than any other woman!  Denelle Grant posted a 1:16:17 and Whitney Johnson came in with a 1:17:07.

So who came out on top?  For the men it was Konrad Heller finishing the day in 2:25:42.  Congrats!  Bob Horn took second place in 2:27:18 and Geo Tommey placed third in 2:30:06.

Sue Wagner used her amazing bike skills to finally take the women’s overall crown after three years of trying.  She finished up in 2:57:23.  Denelle Grant took second place in 3:00:13 and Whitney Johnson finished up the podium in 3:01:24.  Great day to all!
Also racing this event was XTERRA Points Series Manager, Andrew Marsh who finished up the day in 3:44:21 after over a year off of competing.  He did however lose the bet with XTERRA Ambassador Bill Swann and had to turn over some beer – but got some great Swannee Brew in return!
The race finished off with a yummy burrito lunch for all the racers and then went into prizes and awards.  Among the contests for some of the cool XTERRA Prizes, a Gatorade Chuggin’ contest (yes we stole the idea from the XTERRA King of the Hill Race!)  and a push up contest.  Then it was off to the Lost Paddle Lounge for a few cold refreshing beverages and some of the best burgers around! Thanks so much to Jeff Walls, the new Race Director for this event – after many years of being the bike guy he stepped up to the reigns and it was awesome!  Thanks also to Andrea and Beth who worked their tails off as well as to all the folks at ACE, the volunteers, spectators, and all the racers.  Tell your friends – this is the race not to miss!!  Check out all the pictures at www.iplayoutside.com – what an awesome day!

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