Evans, Chaney Win XTERRA Lock 4 Blast

By Jennifer Marsh: XTERRA Points Series Assistant Manager

July 4th weekend marked the 10th Annual XTERRA Lock 4 Blast in Gallatin Tennessee. One of the original America Tour Stops, this course is a BLAST!  In true form it was a bit muggy and humid - but that didn't seem to bother the athletes and spectators alike as they came to the start line Sunday morning.

The air was full of excitement as XTERRA Pro Craig Evans toed the start line at the place where he did his first XTERRA race 6 years ago and about 60 pounds heavier!  He has won this event overall 5 times in a row coming into this weekend.  It was Casey Fannin who won it Craig's first year.  Among him were other long-time XTERRA Athletes - Billy Anderson, Audie Smith - as well as many newbies testing the waters of XTERRA in Tennessee.

Once the siren went off to start the event it was Craig and Bruce Gennari (42, Brentwood, TN) leading the pack of athletes in the 1-lap lake swim. They came out neck and neck in 10:25 and 10:29.  Omar Fraser (28, Birmingham, AL) and Billy Pirtle (30, Brentwood, TN) were just a little back, also neck and neck in 11:23 and 11:25.  It was going to be a close day!  Julia Radmann (30, Smyrna, GA) was the first female out in 15:36.  Cynthia Gerlock (40, Carterville, IL) and Emily Chaney (26, Maryville, TN) were next out in a tight race at 18:08 and 18:22. 

Next up, an awesome 12 mile bike course with tons of single track.  The comment most often used to describe this course - FUN!  Again it was Evans with a split of 59:56 leading the pack.  Well on his way to win number 7!  Fraser was close behind with a split of 1:02:46.  And Jeff Nowlin (38, Smyrna, GA) and Pirtle posted the next best splits in 1:09:11 and 1:09:20.  Heading back to the ladies it was Radmann and Chaney battling it out with bike splits of 1:21:00 and 1:22:12.  Melissa Carolan (42, Pegram, TN) was next up in 1:30:44.

The 4.2 mile run at Lock 4 is similar to the bike with the twists and turns and single track fun.  Evans again posted the fastest split for a solo athlete in 27:29. Gennari used his running skills to stay up near the top and post a run split of 29:01.  Fraser and Jeff Richards (38, Atlanta, GA) were the next best male runners with 30:49 and 31:11.  For the ladies it was Chaney who smoked the field  - the WHOLE field, male and female - by posting a split of 30:34 - good enough for 3rd solo athlete of the day.  Radmann posted a 38:36 and Carolan finished in 41:01.

At the end of the day it was Craig Evans taking home his 6th Consecutive Overall win at the XTERRA Lock 4 Blast in 1:37:50.  His previous times were 2007 - 1:37:06, 2006 - 1:37:22, 2005 - 1:39:53, 2004 - 1:49:42, 2003 - 1:42:53, 2002 - 2:06:11.  Way to go Craig!  Omar Fraser was the top amateur in 1:44:58, Bruce Gennari was 2nd in 1:50:23 and Billy Pirtle rounded out the top 3 in 1:54:38.  Great Job Guys!  Emily Chaney took top honors for the women in 2:11:08, - must have been that smokin' run!  Julia Radmann was 2nd overall in 2:15:12 and Melissa Carolan was 3rd in 2:31:48.  Nice Work to All!

We should also mention that there were 11 relay teams out in the mix as well.  Including one or two that Race Director David Hardin put together to try to taker Craig Evans down.  In the end, it didn't happen, but they all posted some amazing splits.  Team Biker's Choice +1 was 1st overall for the teams and 4th overall in 1:53:06.  And Chris Winter, from Team Beastie Boys actually posted the fastest run split of the day in 26:06!

Afterwards there was plenty of delicious food from a Taste of Italy and tons of prizes from the XTERRA sponsors.  Congrats to all the athletes for a an amazing race day and to all the spectators for cheering them on.  Thanks also to all the wonderful volunteers and of course, to Dave and Collette Hardin and the whole crew from Bikers Choice that make this such a great event year after year!

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