The Louisiana XTERRA Weekend

By Fred Phillips
DLT Event Management

Lincoln Parish Park is a legendary location in the history of XTERRA.  Race morning for the 2nd annual XTERRA Epic blossomed with cool temps in the upper 50's and a water temp of 80 degree's.  The weather for race day played a key role in fast times.  We had cloud cover and a high temp of 75 degrees. 

The 1-mile swim / 31-mile mtb / 10-mile run started in waist deep water and sported a chilly 100 yard beach run between laps one and two as well as the run to the transition area.  The bike course consisted of three laps of a 10.2 mile course, and concluded with a three lap run of a 3.37 mile course.

At the starting line was the inaugural (2010) Epic champion, Kyle Greiser, 29 of Marble Falls, TX.   Kyle came out of the water in 8th place but by late in the first lap of the bike he took the lead and extended it to nearly six minutes prior to the run.  Then Kyle threw down the fastest run of day to hit the finish tape with a total time 4:07:41.   Coming in second and third respectively was Eric Eicher, 27, of Huston, TX in 4:13:07 and Adrain Barron, 39, of Austin, TX in 4:16:16.

On the women's side Linda Cole, 44, of Olive Branch, MS came out of the water in the lead and maintained it through the end of the bike.  Marie Lupe Hernandez, 40, of Reklaw, TX laid out the fastest run of the day of the women to take the lead and never look back at mile 5 of the run to break the tape in 5:56:53.  Linda Cole kept pace for second in 6:10:22 with Robin Reyes, 25, of Beaumont, TX who had gained on Linda throughout the run finished third in 6:14:29.

All the finishers received an XTERRA Epic official finishers medal and tech fiber tee shirt and the right to purchase an XTERRA Epic official finishers jacket.  The day ended with a catered awards dinner.  In fact, Kyle Grieser, the overall male champion won the push up contest for one of the great prize drawings. 

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The morning of May 15, we sent off the 15th annual XTERRA Gator Terra, ( 880-yard /10.2-mile MTB / 3.37-mile run) the oldest running XTERRA branded race in the world.  Race morning brought cloud cover with mid 60's air temp and 80 degree water.  The one lap swim commenced with a beach start. 

Patrick Fellows, 40, of Baton Rouge, LA cleared the water first in 11:21.  The bike ended up being the great equalizer.  Kyle Grieser and Matt Robbins, 23, of Cordova, TN pulled in from the bike four seconds apart.  For the second day in a row Kyle logged the fastest run of the day to cross the line in 1:22:59. Matt Robbins pulled in at 1:24:29 with Michael Migues taking third place in 1:25:11.

Susan Hayden, 46, of Baton Rouge, LA came out of the water in first with Catherine Moore, 41, of Waco, TX hot on her heels.  Catherine pushed on both the bike and run to take first in 1:34:21 with Susan taking second in 1:46:44 and Robyn Reyes taking third overall for the second time in two days. 

We offered awards to the male and female that completed both days with the fastest combined times.  Kyle Grieser took the double award for the men and Maria Lupe Hernandez for the women.

Another year is in the books for Ruston XTERRA events.  Mark your calendars for the next XTERRA Epic on Oct. 30, 2011 in Arkadelphia AR.  It will be worth 100 point value toward your 2012 season total.  Yes, this will be the first race of the 2012 season.  Get a jump on the competition!

Complete information and results are available at:  www.DLTevents.com

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