On Sunday, the VI Triathlon Federation held the VI Duathlon Championships at the Divi Casino, which consisted of a 1-mile run, a 14-mile bike and a 3-mile run.
Just minutes before the race, one of the race favorites, Wayne Nichols, announced that his pedal broke; nevertheless, he wanted to complete the run portions of the race. A few minutes into the one-mile run, late-comer Glenn Massiah arrived with his bike, and he was ready in a flash to team up with Nichols as the cyclist. Relay runner Randy Nielsen, posted the fastest split for the run at 6:15, with Megan Lambert, Amy Roberts, Mercedes Siegle-Gaither and Troy Holloway all going under 7 minutes also.
Sue Brown, who teamed up with Amy Roberts, dominated the 14-mile, out-and-bike course in a time of 43:09. Ian Collins, competing as an individual, posted the second fastest bike split in 43:40, while Glenn Massiah rolled in third fastest with a time of 45:20. Troy Holloway was still just ahead of the Nichols/Massiah team, but they met up in transition from bike to run and finished the race together.
Although Team Girl Power (Roberts/Brown) was the first to cross the line after the second run, Ian Collins was the first overall individual winner just two minutes behind. His time was 1:14:49. Troy finished as second place male in 1:19:11; John Harper was third. Megan Lambert, who has established herself as one of St. Croix’s top runners, was the first female to finish and the second individual overall. Her time was 1:18:52. Lisa Gay, who looked steady and strong from the start, finished in second place for women; Jan Powell was third.
There were five participants and one relay team in the Try-a-Du race, which included a .5-mile run, a 6-mile bike and a 1-mile run. Good Hope Country Day School (GHCDS) student Jackson Archambault, age 12, led the small group from the start. Kirra Lambert, who teamed up with Mark Kennedy, was pushing Jackson from behind on the first run. Mark, an experienced rider, overtook Jackson on the bike, but Jackson met up with Kirra again on the second run. Team Lambert/Kennedy finished in 34:31.
Congratulations to young Jackson Archambault as the overall individual winner, completing the course in 38:33. Jennifer Koockogey was second and Renée Sweaney was third.
The next Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation (VITF) event will be held on Sunday, March 10, at Cane Bay for the Wall-to-Wall Sprint Triathlon and Try-a-Tri. The Junior Tri VI committee will also be hosting a triathlon for kids, ages 5 to 15, at Cramer’s Park on Sunday, March 3.
For more information, call 513-2707.
