PETERSBURG – Grim Reaper Fitness had a big day at the Pioneer Sprint and Abe’s Mini Triathlons with four top-3 overall finishes and seven divisional 1st-place finishes Saturday.
David Quinn led way, placing 2nd overall, in the Pioneer Sprint, which included a 300-yard, indoor pool swim, 13-mile bike leg, and a 3.1-mile run. Quinn came in at 1:04:30, 45 seconds behind the winner and posted the best swim time of the event at 4:06.
Celeste Kudrys, racing in her first triathlon, place 3rd overall among women, coming in at 1:31:31.
Quinn and Kudrys each completed the Boston Marathon five days earlier.
In the Abe’s Mini, which consisted of a 100-yard swim, 5-mile bike, and 1-mile run, Erik Rankin and Curtis Preston took the top two overall spots. Rankin finished at 24:40 and Preston at 26:25. Jill Dorbeck also completed the Mini, winning the women’s 35-39 division in 29:30.
Back to Pioneer, Casey Haak, Jason Sturdyvin, Damon Dusin, Tim Auth, Wendy Smith, Lynn Staley, and Lisa Kiley all won their divisions.
Dusin won the 40-44 Age Group and placed 4th overall, racing in at 1:06:50. His bike time of 38:08 was the third fastest on a day when riders fought 20 mph headwinds on the second half of the course. Kevin Tuuk was 2nd in the division and 6th overall at 1:07:26. Tuuk’s run of 19:57 was the day’s 2nd fastest.
Sturdyvin won the 30-34 AG and placed 5th overall in 1:07:01, while teammate Matt Cuttell was 2nd in the division and 7th overall at 1:07:47. Cuttell’s swim of 4:07 was one second behind Quinn’s time for the 2nd fastest of the day.
In the Clydesdale division (220 pounds and up), Auth came in at 1:11:39 to place first, while Casey Haak won the 20-24 AG in 1:23:03.
On the women’s side, Lisa Kiley was the 5th overall female finisher, winning the 50-54 AG in 1:16:42. Her bike time was also 5th best among women.
Wendy Smith won the 40-44 AG in 1:19:42, which was good for 6th overall, while Lynn Staley took the 45-49 AG in 1:20:27 and was 7th overall. Jessica Miner was 9th overall and came in 2nd in the 35-29 AG in 1:20:34.
Other Reapers taking in top-3 division finishes were: Paul Swanlund, 2nd in 35-29 at 1:16:26; Buck Manley, 3rd in 55-59 at 1:24:59; Mike Seeborg, 2nd in 65-69 in 1:22:49; David Cate, 3rd in Clydesdale at 1:18:19; Kris Hohulin, 2nd in women’s 40-44 at 1:19:42; Stephanie Heppe, 3rd in 40-44 at 1:43:23; Jodi Hari, 2nd in 45-49 at 1:28:31; Bev Smith, 3rd in 55-59 at 1:39:09; and Barb McKee, 3rd in Athena at 1:44:37.
The race was put on by Tri Harder Promotions, which Grim Reaper Fitness sponsors.
On Sunday, Dan Thurston travelled to Edwardsville, IL, and was the lone GRF competitor in Racemaker Productions’ (another club sponsor) Try Tri Long Sprint (300-yard swim, 20-mile bike, 4-mile run). Thurston was 6th in the men’s 45-49 division at 1:49:58.
Huber runs Illinois Marathon
CHAMPAIGN – At the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, Jason Huber led a group of Reapers with a 3:31:12 in the 26.2 distance.
Erin Rahn and Rhonda Heinz, competing at the 13.1 distance, ran a 2:25:51 and 2:27:54, respectively.
Finally, Jason Hebel ran the 10K race and then drove to Springfield to compete in the Pioneer Sprint Triathlon. Hebel ran a 1:00:19 in the 10K.
