Knik triathlon to crown state champion

Aug. 5, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

KNIK - The 2005 Alaska State Triathlon Championships will take place Sunday at Knik Lake.

This is the first year the state championship will be held in the Valley and is the second year a state champ will be crowned. Last year's race was held in Anchorage at Kincaid Park due to road construction along Knik- Goose Bay Road.

Race officials believe the construction has made the Knik Lake course one of the best in the state for triathlons.

"We wanted to hold the race at Knik Lake last year but couldn't because of road construction," race director Bill Fleming said. "We're happy to be at Knik this year, because the construction resulted in a much better road surface for biking and running. With wider shoulders, it's much safer now, too."

Alaska's only Olympic-distance triathlon, the format commonly used for championship races, consists of a 1,500-meter swim in Knik Lake, a 40-kilometer bike leg along Knik-Goose Bay Road, and concludes with a 10-kilometer run. The race will start and finish at Knik Lake.

Fleming said there will be no road closures for the race.

"There will be signs on the roads and volunteers in orange vests at all bike turnarounds," Fleming said. "We don't anticipate heavy traffic since the race takes place beyond the Knik Bar at Mile 13.5 on the Knik Goose Bay Road, but we still ask motorists to be alert around the racers."

The defending men's champion, Austrian Franz Hofer, is not expected to return. He used the race as his final attempt to make his country's Olympic team, just missing the qualifying standard. Hofer edged Jens Beck of Anchorage by one minute. Beck is considered the pre-race favorite for this year's race.

The race for the women's title is expected to be the most contested and Amy Owens, Rebecca McKee and Jenny Kimball are expected to challenge for the title. Last year's winner Lori Deschamps had a baby earlier this year and has yet to return to top form.

The race is a qualifier for USA Triathlon championships events, including the national championship, junior and age group nationals.

Racing begins at 10 a.m. Sunday with the swim in Knik Lake.

Contact Darrell Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@frontiersman.com.