Peaked
Sports presented the first running of the Big Hole Duathlon this past
Saturday, August 25th. Participants tested themselves on a 4.5 mile run with
1000 feet of elevation change, followed by a 7.8 mile bike with similar
elevation change. Both individuals and
teams competed in the Idaho Ridge area north of the Horseshoe Canyon
trailhead.
Cary Smith, well known for his skills on the Winter Randonee Racing
circuit, showed that he can also bike and run, winning the Individual event
with both the fastest bike and run of the day in a time of 1:22:34. Zahan
Billimoria was only one minute behind Cary at the end of the run when he
tagged his bike teammate, Bridget Lyons. Considering Cary’s transition time,
the gap at the start of the bike was only 10 seconds, but Smith quickly broke
away on the initial climb. Bridget had the misfortune to break a chain,
allowing Forest Dramis to make up the time lost on the run to Zahan and take
second place overall in 1:40:45. The team of Billimoria and Lyons all female
team of Janet Conway running and Joanne LaBelle on the bike in the time
followed in 1:43:03. Tom Hedges of Jackson was the next individual in
1:49:53, followed by the of 1:51:19. Julie Geng of Idaho Falls won the female
individual event in a time of 2:17:03.
The winners of each class received 'non-profit' bucks’ at the rate of
$5/mile resulting in an award of $60. Cary Smith donated his $60 to the Teton
County, Idaho, Search and Rescue while Julie Geng, the team of Conway and
LaBelle and the team of Billimoria and Lyons all donated their $60 winnings
to the Teton Valley Trails and Pathways.
Racers were pleased with the courses and markings and Peaked Sports plans
to continue the event next year with the goal of increasing the contributions
to the Teton Valley non-profits. Course improvements are likely next year as
the Forest Service has approved a draft of the new Transportation Plan, which
includes much of the new single track in the area. Check at
www.peakedsports.com for the 2008 race date.
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