XTERRA Schiff Scout Race Report

By Jen Trapp, XTERRA Rep

XTERRA Schiff Scout is a favorite among many North East XTERRAists - they come out of the woodwork every year at the end of the season for this event.  Even with one more race in the Region the following weekend, the field was still large and people were excited as usual.  It is always interesting to see who will try to get some last minute points to secure their invite to Tahoe, or to secure their Regional Champion Jersey!

Race morning started out perfect weather - and we hoped it would stay that way and the rain that was predicted would hold off.  The 2 wave swim start got under way with a few athletes not quite ready - but they were off!  The swim at the Schiff Scout Boy Scout Reservation is in a beautiful lake that is usually about the temperature of bath water.  It was a couple degrees cooler than normal and allowed for a wetsuit swim. As athletes came out of the first lap they had to make a short dash across the beach before jumping back in and doing it again.  Leading out of the swim was Brendan Mims and Christopher Berquist in 13:23 and 13:33.  For the women it was Kerry Massett with a strong lead at 16:01.

Post swim you have to take a little jog up the hill to get to transition.  Then it is off and rolling on the super fast bike course.  It is 2 five mile loops and this is a gas gauge race.  If you do not keep tabs on your gauge - then you can use it all up on the bike.  That doesn't mean it is easy - there are twists and turns and small ups and downs and it is a blast! AND you can go pedal to the medal and give it all you got.  But make sure you  save some for the run!  Ken Robins had the fastest bike split of the day by a minute and a half - he finished up in 43:37.  And even with breaking her bike and running ti in the last ¼ of a mile, Andrea McGuire had the fastest bike split in 56:04.

The run is just over 3 miles through the woods and you find it hard to believe that these hills are on Long Island. I mean, come on - what hills?!?!  Brian Brett, Race Director, found them all I think and they are on the course.  Frank Febbraro steamed up the course and posted a 20:54 run split for the fastest one of the day.  Rebecca Manning came in at 26:05 to beat out all the ladies.

At the end of it all, it was Ken Robins coming across the finish line first in 1:20:40 - a minute and 55 seconds ahead of second place, Matthew Knight.  For the women - it was Lauren Klein who took top honors in 1:42:23 - just 35 seconds ahead of Rebecca Manning.

Way to go to all athletes who toed the starting line at this race - and all races this year!  Thanks to Brian Brett and Dirty Events, his wife Donna who made all the pasta salad for the athlete lunch, the scout camp, and all volunteers.  Another awesome year in the books!

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