Sullivan, Brown Win XTERRA Race at the Rez

By Jen Marsh, XTERRA Rep

It had rained for the last 20 days in Vermont, and rained during packet pick up and pre-riding on Saturday and even on Sunday morning when we first woke up.  But at about 7am the rain stopped and a beautiful day was upon us - and some AWESOME racing to go with it!  Mike McGuire, long time XTERRA athlete, said - "This is the toughest course in the North East!"  But don't let that scare anyone away - tough doesn't mean you can't do it - just a little more of a challenge than some races - but tons of fun!

The one-loop triangle swim started at 8AM and just under 100 athletes headed off on their Vermont XTERRA Adventure.  With water temps right at 71 degrees, it was a perfect beginning to the day.  Indian Brook Reservoir is a gorgeous lake and it looked great with all the red swim caps bobbing along!  Philip Corbett (32, Portsmouth, NH) was out first in 18:59.  Paul Stapley (38, Montreal, Canada) was just behind him in 19:48 and third out of the water was Suzie Snyder (26, Wallingford, CT) in 20:23.  The third male out was Charley Plourde (22, Sherbrooke, Canada) in 21:26.  The second and third women out were Courtney Mitchell (30, Toronto, Canada) and Monique Salter (30, Essex Junction, VT) in 22:13 and 22:38.

Off to the bike which was, let's say, challenging.  It was muddy and rocky and rooty and hilly and one mandatory dismount that prevented decapitation!  But it was also fun and technical and kept you on your toes, and off your bike some, but gave you a real sense of accomplishment when you finished!  It was only ten miles, but that was enough!  Christopher Cover, (43, Richmond, VT)  posted the best split in 1:08:06 with Ian Sullivan (22, Jericho, VT) right behind him in 1:09:44.  Tight race!  In third was Jared Katz (42, Richmond, VT) in 1:11:22.  Hmmm, all the best splits were from locals - guess they had more practice!  For the ladies it was Melanie Brown (31, Bethlehem, NH) in 1:22:44 who had the fastest bike split.  Kelly Ault (37, Middlesex, VT) and Andrea McGuire (31, Troy, NY) were a few minutes back at 1:28:39 and 1:31:47.  Great job ladies!

Off to the run - a 2-loop 4 mile course that winds around the lake.  More rocks and roots, but pretty and fun and muddy!  Check out the top 3 male splits - 27:29, 27:30, 27:31 - way close!  Those went to, respectively, Brett Rickenbach (33, Hampton, NH), Loren Voyer (35, Essex Junction, VT), and Matthew Crafts (30, Seal Harbor, ME).  Kelly Ault stayed up top with a 32:23 split with Suzie Snyder and Tricia Grenie (31, Burlington, VT) close behind - 33:23 and 33:38.  I will say that this was after Suzie had just ran 80% of the bike course pushing the bike with her chain in her one hand!

In the end it was local boy Ian Sullivan who came out on top in 2:02:09 - congrats Ian!  Paul Stapley was 2nd in 2:05:52 and Matthew Knight (32, Newport, RI) who rounded out the top three in 2:07:43.  Melanie Brown took top honors for the ladies in 2:24:24 with Kelly Ault in 2nd at 2:28:12 and Andrea McGuire in 3rd at 2:34:03.  Great to to everyone!

Thanks to Mark and Mark (Brislin and Berry) for putting on some an excellent event!  Just what we needed up here - and it's great to be back in Vermont!  Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers - there were lots and they were great!  Thanks to all the athletes for coming out and having so much fun on this course - just cause it is hard doesn't mean it isn't fun!  See you next year!

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