Mielke, Masson win Tsali Swim-Run-Bike XTERRA

For years avid XTERRA athletes have been telling us that we need a race in western North Carolina.  This year that request came true with the 1st Annual XTERRA Tsali.  Thanks to the folks at Gone Riding, athletes get to compete on what has been rated as one of the top 10 places to ride in the USA. 

The unique Swim-Run-Bike race format began with a ½ mile out and back swim in Fontana Lake.  Allison Grainger (37) of Brevard, NC was the first athlete overall out of the swim in 16:14.  Way to go girl!  Shortly behind her was Ian Smith (41) of Cornelius, NC in 17:02. William Holwell (32 - Sugar Hill, GA) and Beth Irving (37 - Arden, NC) were 3rd and 4th in 17:35 and 17:47.  It was a tight race!

Post swim was a switch up for the athletes - the run came next.  It was a 5 mile muddy trail run that also gave the athletes a preview of what the bike course would look like. Shiloh Mielke (30 - Weaverville, NC) has been making a splash on the XTERRA circuit this year and he showed us why with his blistering fast run of 33:16 to take him from a 6th place swim, to 1st overall so far.  He came in over 2 minutes faster than Jeff Richards (41 - Atlanta, GA) who still had a speedy run time of 35:20.  Karen Masson (42 - Asheville, NC) pushed through with a blistering run for the ladies as well with a 37:58 - almost 4 minutes ahead of Sumner Smith (38 - Asheville, NC) who finished in 41:43.

The Tsali Mountain Bike trails have long been a top destination for biking in the Eastern US.  There are over 40 miles of trails in a series of loops that were nice and slick for the racers after a nighttime rain.  Shiloh again crushed through the 11 mile course in 47:10.  Ian Smith was close behind in 48:19.  Karen and Allison were neck and neck with 56:32 and 56:54

Shiloh Mielke turned in another stunning performance at XTERRA Tsali by finishing 1st Overall in 1:38:44.  What an amazing start to an XTERRA career!  Ian Smith came in second in1:41:56 by posting a top 3 swim and bike time.  Jeff Richards rounded out the top three in 1:47:25.  Karen Masson impressed the crowd with incredible bike and run splits by taking top honors in 1:56:43.  Allison Grainger took that lead off of the swim and held on for 2nd place in 1:57:44.  Sumner Smith completed the podium in 2:07:52.

Thanks to all the athletes who came and raced their heart out!  Thanks to the folks at Gone Riding for bringing XTERRA to the mountains of Western North Carolina!

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