Smith, Collins Win XTERRA Wild Horse Creek

Bozeman, MT - Hyalite Canyon Reservoir - Gallatin National Forest
By Andrew Marsh, Manager XTERRA Points Series

If you've never made the trek out there - it's true - Montana is in fact "Big Sky Country".  Snow capped peaks and endless valley farmland views are standard in all directions. The Hyalite Canyon Reservoir area of Gallatin National Forest - home of the 2008 XTERRA Wild Horse Creek - is just one of many "outdoor" options in the Bozeman area. In addition to great trails this park boasts excellent trout fishing, lake side camping, and mid-July hike-in skiing.

Midweek storms dumped several inches of hail lakeside and caused the upper level snowpack to melt bringing the water level up and the temperature down. It was ice cream headaches for all during the 54 degree 1200 yard two-loop swim. First year off-road pro Jeff Smith (Sandpoint, ID) was 2nd out of the water but first onto the bike passing Vincent Deluca (Bozeman) in transition. Smith combined Swim & T1 time was 13:45 to Deluca's 15:01. Volker Reidlinger (Clancy, MT) was on his tail heading out in 15:15. Alison Forney-Groman (Missoula) and Volker's better half, Lisa, were 8th and 9th out of T1 in 16:59 and 17:22.

The first two miles of the bike are the most technical on the 16 mile course. A series of short, steep ups and downs were made additionally challenging by the mountain runoff that damped rocks, roots, and added to few muddy sections. Nothing major. Totally XTERRA! The wooded lakeside ride popped out in a wild flower meadow with a view that made you wish you'd brought your camera. Several snow capped peaks tower over a deep pine valley that is reported to contain excellent winter ice climbing. Two miles on the park road that follows the back side of the lake gave athletes a break before they hit the heart of this course - a two lap 750' altitude gain/lap loop. Its smooth double-track for the quad burn up followed by ripping fun single track back down. It's a good thing that you get to do this loop twice - because again the views from the ridge lines are worth twice the effort.

Clearly Smith didn't stop to smell the blooming lupines - smoking the bike in 1:16:29. XTERRA regular Ross McMahan (Incline Village, NV) picked up two spots via a 1:19:36 but trailed Smith by nearly 5 ½ starting the run. Michael Piker (Jackson, WY) used the 3rd best bike split of the day (1:23:35) to pass 38 fellow competitors. It was clear that Erin Collins (Provo, UT) had maintained her MTB skills during her two year break from XTERRA when she was 7th OA to depart T2. Erin's bike time of 1:26:32 moved her into the ladies lead.  Keri Grosse (Levenworth, WA) and Heather Lien (Pocatello, ID) biked into 2nd and 3rd positions.

The six mile run followed the same section that kicked off the bike course. At the 1.5 mark it hooked back through the forest coming temptingly close to finish line before grabbing a Gatorade and heading out on for the second three mile lap. Ross McMahan had the quickest split of the day (40:00) but unable to real in Jeff Smith who took the tape in a total time of 2:11:38. McMahan's 2:15:35 earned him the Age Group championship repeating their 2007 order of finish when Smith was top amateur dog. Bryan Medrano (now from El Jebel, CO) celebrated his upcoming wedding with a 3rd quickest run split and OA finish. Volker Riedlinger rounded out the AG podium in 2:28:46. Erin Collins extended her lead, passed two guys, and took the ladies title with a 2:33:22 elapsed time (5th OA.) Rhea Fuller (Missoula, MT) used the 5th best run of the day (45:28) to overtake Heather Lien and seven other runners to grab 3rd best in the ladies race. (2:38:22). Keri Grosse maintained 2nd spot in 2:36:22. For complete results check out www.xterraplanet.com

Eight relays teamed up to give XTERRA a try and provided one of closest finishes in XTERRA history. Racing stride-for-stride from T2 to the tape Team ACC nipped "See U Slater" by two hundredths of a second. 2:32:40 vs 2:32:39.8. Photo courtesy Krista Miller-Larson: Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

We welcome Megan Fisher (Missoula) to the XTERRA family as she makes the switch from road to off-road triathlete by becoming the first solo female challenged athlete to compete in XTERRA. Look for big things from Meg at the XTERRA Mountain Champion in Ogden, UT (August 16th) and beyond.

XTERRA Wild Horse Creek hosts Big Sky Endurance Sports offered a 600 yd Swim/7 mile MTB/ 3 mile trail run short course option. While shorter this race kept in the face numbing water, awesome views, and challenging "hill climb". Aubrey Curtis (Great Falls, MT) won for the men (1:09:08). Laura Morin (Helena) took the women's title in 1:17:02.

In addition to burgers, dogs, chocolate cake, and a keg of cold "adult beverage" - post race festivities included a dash-n-splash for a XTERRA Wetsuit and a push up contest for a pair of XTERRA trail shoes. Logoed pint glasses and embroidered towels went to the champions and raffle winners alike.

You owe it yourself to add "Visit Montana" and "check out XTERRA Wild Horse Creek" to your bucket list. Talk about a "Live More Mecca" - this place has it all!

© 2013 TEAM Unlimited LLC