Jablonski, Lien win XTERRA Black Diamond

By Kristin Francis

To say that XTERRA Black Diamond is a "great" race is really an understatement. "Epic" is probably a more accurate description of the event and the bike course. After all, in 2009, it was voted THE best XTERRA race in the series by XTERRA athletes. So were the folks at Raise The Bar and the legendary Black Diamond bike course able to live up to all the hype at this year's XTERRA Black Diamond? Absolutely. Is this an XTERRA event that is a must-do for all XTERRA fanatics? Absolutely.

Conditions were ideal for this year's XTERRA Black Diamond. Morning fog kept temps in the 70's, creating perfect conditions for the competitors. The 1000 meter swim in 74 degree Lake Sawyer was an out and back that is 500 meters to XTERRA Island and then back to shore. Swimmers navigated through lily pads and the disgruntled and exiled roadies on XTERRA Island. Once back on shore, athletes had a short run on grass up to transition to grab their bikes and head out on the epic mountain bike course.

The 7.5-mile, 2-loop XTERRA Black Diamond bike course is truly a mountain biker's course. This course, on private land, was built by mountain bikers. If you are a mountain biker who has been on the fence about doing an XTERRA, this one is for you. For strong mountain bikers, this course will make your day and you'll be smiling the entire time. For the rest of you, it might make for a long day. This course is 100% off-road and about 90% single track in a heavily wooded forest with ferns and wild flowers everywhere. There are some moderately technical sections with roots, rocks, and tight turns, but almost everything can be ridden. The one mandatory dismount is a water crossing about midway through the loop. There's no getting around this one, you will get wet. There are switchbacks, but for the most part the climbs are short and gradual. There is one steepish downhill with loose rocks, but the rest are pretty tame. With that being said, don't discount this course as being easy. There's nothing easy about it.

After 15 miles of pure bliss, competitors dropped the bike at transition and hit the 6.2-mile run course. The run consisted of two 3.1-mile loops. The first half of the run goes back up near the bike course, where there are lots of twists and turns through the forest. Runners had to watch their step as there are roots and rocks just waiting to grab their toes! Then back down towards the venue and past an aid station only to make a sharp left turn up a steep leg-burning double-track trail. This dumps out onto a narrow road with freshly crushed gravel that feels a lot like running through sand. Just when the quads and calves feel as if they may actually ignite, runners get a short reprieve on paved road before heading out on the second lap.

Thirty-seven year old Jason "Coach" Jablonski of Wenatchee, WA, took home his third XTERRA win of the season with a time of 2:14:25. Less than a minute behind was Nick Fisher, 24, of Ogden, UT, who won the weekend before at XTERRA Wild Horse Creek. In the women's race, Heather Lien, 33, of Sandpoint, ID won with a time of 2:48:01. In second was Yvonne Kraus of Seattle, WA at 2:49:47.

The 2010 XTERRA Black Diamond was an amazing time for all involved. The Kid's Rock Triathlon was great entertainment for all spectators while the adult racers were out on the XTERRA bike course. This truly is an event for all ages. Excellent race organization, chip timing, amazing venue and course, enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, excellent community support, and delicious post-race meal all make this an XTERRA "must-do". Be sure to sign-up for the 2011 XTERRA Black Diamond as there is a 200-competitor cap. Hope to see you next year!

Special thanks to the land owners, Yarrowbay Communities, volunteers, and Raise the Bar for making this such an amazing XTERRA event.

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