Two Reapers started on their long course paths this past weekend with Half Ironman distance races.
Romanie Walter, running in only her third Half Ironman, placed 9th (out of 66) in the 35-39 Age Group at the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 Kansas. Romanie’s overall time of 5 hours, 24 minutes, included a run time of 1:40:59, good for 3rd in her age group. Romanie is preparing to check an Ironman off her bucket list, as she trains for the Sept. 21 Ironman Lake Tahoe.
New Reaper Jeff Grabinski competed in the USAT Long Course National Championship at Grand Rapids, MI. Jeff, who lost 25 pounds coming into the season, finished 15th in the 35-39 Age Group, but had an overall time of 4 hours, 40 minutes in the competitive field. His bike time of 2:25:20 was good for 10th in the division. Most impressively, Jeff competed his first Half Ironman last July at the Route 66 in Springfield, IL. His time 5 hours, 33 minutes, a number he bested by “only” 53 minutes in Michigan. Jeff is running another Half Iron in June before ramping up to Ironman Louisville in August.
Lots of Reapers will be racing this weekend at Tri Harder Promotions 2nd race day of the season at New Salem State Park outside Springfield. The Stovepipe Sprint and Railsplitter Olympic are featured.
