Race brings hardcore athletes

In most triathlon competitions, athletes must push themselves against the course to complete legs that include a bicycle ride, run and swim. Alaskan athletes, however, have an additional element that they must contend with during competition -- the bitter cold.

Forty-seven athletes from around the Valley and Anchorage stepped forward Saturday to challenge the course and zero-degree temperatures in the second annual Colony Christmas Triathlon in Palmer.

"We expected more participation from athletes in Anchorage," said triathlon organizer Pam Sadloske. "I think many didn't come because of the minus 20-degree temperatures that we had last night."

The 47 athletes were comprised of 15 women and 12 men in the individual division and five three-person teams that had an athlete completing each leg.

The event began with a 10K bike ride from the Palmer Golf Course, around the Springer Loop and back to the golf course. Athletes then ran a 5K from the golf course to the Palmer pool where they swam laps equaling 500-meters to complete the course.

Athletes were not the only ones braving the cold for the event. Thirty volunteers served as timers and flaggers staggered throughout the course to keep athletes on course and act as traffic control.

"The hardest thing about an event like this is getting all the needed volunteers," said Sadloske. "They were great to come out in the cold and help make this happen."

Dave Ford won the men's individual race and Margaret Cunningham finished first in the women's individual race.

The team of Jeff Clough, Kim Floyd, and Sarah Brettrager took first place in the team division.

Palmer teacher Zack Brown finished second in the men's individual race, staying close to Ford through the bike leg of the race before falling back in the run.

"I felt slow getting off the bike and starting my run," said Brown. "I had to get my legs used to running instead of pedaling."

Brown practiced during the week to ensure he was wearing the right amount of clothing for the bike and run portion of the race.

"I had the right clothes for the outside part, then I started stripping off clothes about a quarter-mile away from the pool," said Brown. "I knew the pool would be hot, but it felt good."

Palmer resident Natalie Beyeler admitted being worried about the bitter temperatures the night prior to the race, but woke up Saturday morning determined to compete.

"My feet froze during the bike ride and I didn't start feeling my toes until the last part of the run," said Beyeler. "I kept thinking about the pool and how nice it was going to be to get in."

This was the first time competing in a triathlon event for the 47-year old Beyeler, who thanks her children and the volunteers along the course who gave her support.

"I could have never completed it without them; it was a lot of fun," said Beyeler. "I will definitely do this again next year."

Results of finishers

Women's individual - 1. Margaret Cunningham; 2. Shelly Eller; 3. Anne Dubber; 4. Dominique Colberg; 5. Sandy Lane; 6. Kelley Cross; 7. Janet Smalley; 8. Natalie Beyeler; 9. Julie Michaelson; 10. Sammye Pokryfki; 11. Kathy Thompson; 12. Dot Helm; 13. Betzy Scott.

Men's individual - 1. Dave Ford; 2. Zack Brown; 3. Jonathon Schick; 4. Joseph Hawkins; 5. Matt Tomter; 6. Ray Michaelson; 7. Michael Smith; 8. Kurt Bittlingmain; 9. Joe Blaustein; 10. David Rudolph; 11. Walley Lewis; 12. Brent Huntington.

Team - 1. Jeff Clough, Kim Floyd and Sarah Brettrager; 2. Jonathon Schick, Diane Littleeagle and Mathew Morrison; 3. Shannon Rafat, Jenny Fawcett and Nuri Johnson; 4. Trula Acena, Kim Troisi and Jillian Troisi; 5. Barb Howard, Valeria Brickel and Marg Volz.