|
Ultra World Records Set at Odyssey’s Double and Triple IRON Triathlons
Cresting the hill and seeing beautiful Lake Anna spread out below gives one a feeling of peace and repose. For the Double and Triple IRON competitors at last week's event, this journey to the Lake meant something very different. The Triple athletes would make this trip 45 times on their bikes and 40 times on foot. The Doubles would do so 30 times on bike and 26 times as they completed their body and soul-wrenching laps. Appropriately so, this scenic summit was the lifeline for the athletes as their support crews lined the road and the pinnacle of their race as they crossed the finish line.
The irony of such a grueling athletic feat in such a serene setting did not escape anyone. Staged in the lush setting of Virginiafs Lake Anna State Park September 6 - 8, the Odyssey races provided a "true test of human possibility," according to 3-time Triple winner Chris Bergland. Fifteen Double athletes and 6 Triples came from 8 different countries to test themselves. As interest in triathlon continues to grow and the sport becomes more "mainstream", Odyssey's Double and Triple IRONs provide a safe and supportive environment to experience the far extremes of physical and mental endurance. "I soon realized that although the Ironman is a really challenging distance and a tough one to master--as far as coming close to taking me to the 'outer limits'-which I find the most intriguing part of triathlon-it falls short," said Bergland, a New Yorker who has competed in Ironman events on nearly every continent, and has completed a Double IRON in addition to his three Triple victories. Chris also has the Odyssey Triple IRON course record.
The distances are daunting, almost unimaginable. The Double IRON racers complete a 4.8-mile swim (or 15 mile paddle) in Lake Anna, a 224-mile bike, and a 52.4-mile run. The Triples clock in a 7.2-mile swim, 336-mile bike, and a 78.6-mile runcback-to-back with no sleep.
In addition to Bergland's third consecutive Triple IRON victory (with a time of 45 hours/40 minutes), there were other astonishing records set at Lake Anna. At 64 years old, Arthur Puckrin from the UK completed the Triple in second place (57:16); an accomplishment that won him the respect of everyone present and a place in the Guinness World Book of Records. Arthur learned how to swim at 50, and had been doing triathlons for just 6 years before doing his first Double IRON last year. He completed 4 Doubles this year before attempting the Triple, disproving the adage about teaching new tricks to..ahem..older dogs. Arthur further impressed everyone by completing the Triple Run in a pair of black hiking boots because his running shoes gave him blisters. It may be in the Puckrin genes since we also know Arthur's sister has a 1000-mile run record in Australia.
Conversely, Michael Wendelken, at 21-years-old, became the youngest competitor to complete a Double Iron. He recently graduated from the Naval Academy and ran several of his laps at 7-minute pace. Steve Bozeman successfully completed his 13th Double IRON, defending his record of completing more Doubles than any other American. Several times during the bike, Steve yelled out "I love this course!" Hours later he stifled a grin, pointed to the road he was running on, and sang along with his headphones "♫ Highway to Hell". Steve is a former combat veteran with the US Marine Corp, and is one of the Corps most decorated ultra-distance athletes. Bozeman finished his 13th Double with General Pattonfs famous speech and Glory Glory Alleluia on the loud speaker.
Several world-ranked athletes had competed just one week before in the International Ultra-Triathlon Association's (IUTA) Lithuanian Double IRON World Championship. Beat Knechtle, who finished 3rd in the Odyssey Triple IRON has completed 26 Doubles and Triples in the last 6 years and is ranked #3 ultra-triathlete in the world. Beat is also Vice President of The IUTA. Didier Woloszyn from France, ranked 2nd in the IUTA roster, finished 2nd in the Odyssey Double; and Martin Schytil from Austria is 1st in IUTA rankings and finished 3rd in the Odyssey Double IRON. Didier who finished in first place in the Lithuanian race said the Odyssey race was more difficult because of the rolling hills. He added as he took off on his bike uphill with no hands that he would "settle for 2nd place" in his second Double for the week.
Finishing first in the Double was first-timer Rob Hruskovich with a time of 24 hours/5 minutes, a course record for the Odyssey Double. Rob, a quiet, unassuming athlete handily finished both the bike and run in less time than any other Double athlete and appeared to be no worse for the wear at the end of the race. His support crew "Team Herk" was comprised of his wife, mother and father making the race a real family affair for this close family.
Three women competed in the Double with veteran Sylvia Wieneke from Switzerland finishing 1st in the womanfs category and 4th overall, with an impressive time of 30:09. First-time Double competitor and Odyssey staff member, Christine Couldrey came in 2nd in the women's category, followed by Suzy DeGazon from Puerto Rico. Suzy is well respected in the ultra community, not only for her consistent performance, but also her contagious enthusiasm, warmth, and inspirational story. Only a few years ago Suzy, who suffered from anorexia, nearly died when her weight plummeted to only 64 pounds. Her recovery has been remarkable. The Double did not seem to phase this veteran ultra distance Triathlete.
Eileen Steil fell just short of being the first US woman to complete a Triple when she dropped after 52 miles on the run. Eileen decided to do the Triple rather than the Double just days before the event, "Just to see how much my body could handle." When it was all said and done, she was pleased to have an official Double IRON (plus some) under her belt. As was fellow Triple competitor Marc Witkes, who commiserated with Eileen in the later laps of the run. Eileen plans were to do a single IRONMAN a week after her Triple attempt.
Support crews played a large part in the success of their athletes. Christine Couldrey's support crew Aaron had a 7-page support plan that he followed to the "T" according to Christine. Aaron however went way beyond expectations when he ran and roller bladed 48 miles with Christinefs as she completed her 52.4 miles on the run. Chris Rumohr started off supporting just one athlete, and then stayed up two nights feeding, nurturing, and coaching several other ultra athletes as well. Corrado Zambonelli was well supported by 3 friends who traveled from Italy to help their compatriot. Didier Woloszyn's support crew, Babak, complied when Didier's mother called from France to ask that he give her son two kisses at the finish line. Competitors were also motivating forces for one another on the course. Suzy was seen running after Eileen to give her a pep talk when she was fading, then Eileen countered by cheering on Marc as they both struggled to get past the first marathon on the run.
While the athletes had the picturesque lake scene to help motivate them during the day, the night was filled with atmospheric lighting with candles and tiki torches lining the run course. Music alternated from rock-n-roll to eerie Tibetan chant music, which was played as the sun began to rise on the third day of the Triple IRON.
The race had its lighter moments as well. Staff members nearly fell out of their well-worn camp chairs when Beat came around the turnaround cone to see Didier pantless. "Oh, peep show!" he said in his charming Swiss accent. Beat supplied much comic relief throughout the entire race as he joked, laughed and danced at every run turn around. As the race went on, and it got harder, Beat became happier. Beat's "Pain" is apparently his "Pleasure." Beat would later tell his fellow racers at the awards dinner that the Odyssey Double & Triple were the "best races for the athletes".
Race director Don Mann enjoyed running and riding with the athletes throughout the race, commenting on how very impressed he was by their attitudes and physical conditioning. Mann was training for the Huntsville, Alabama Double IRON when the race was canceled in 1997. After talking to the former race director, Nancy Shepard, Mann decided to take over the race and move it to Virginia, and later added a Triple-IRON distance race for well-know racer Chet "the Jet" Blanton. Blanton was stockpiling IRON-distance races to set the world record of competing 26 in one year.
So concluded the fifth running of the Odyssey Double and Triple IRON Triathlons. We would like to make special mention to Stuart Abcug, ultra distance swimmer and triathlete; Andy Bethell, an ultra-triathlete from the UK; Robert Abate, a veteran of many ultra triathlons including the Decatriathlon, (yes 10 IRONMAN distance triathlons, 24-mile swim, 1112-mile bike ride and a 262-mile run) where he holds the US record); Chris Faigle, an ultra distance runner and triathlete; ultra-runner Peter Lefferts; ultra distance athlete and former Marine, Burton Melaugh; and Triple triathlete Walter Rawle, a former Double finisher who was originally inspired to become an ultra distance triathlete after running with Steve Bozeman in 1998 during his 10th Double IRON Triathlon. Odyssey plans to provide another opportunity for ultra-athletes from around the world to test themselves and reach their "outer limits" when it produces the Double and Triple IRON triathlons again in early October 2003.
For more information on these events or any of Odyssey's adventure races, triathlons (including the world's first Iron-distance Off-Road Triathlon) write info@oarevents.com; or call 757-425-2445.
9/16/02
by : Dawn Mann
|
