While Grim Reaper Fitness’ Jason Huber was placing 5th overall at the Peoria Triathlon Sunday, another group of Reapers were accomplishing personal firsts at Michigan Titanium at Grand Rapids.
Seven Reapers were participating in longer distance races for the first time. First on the list were Carey Weaver and Kim Tegg, who each competed in the iron-distance aquabike – a 2.4-mile swim and 112-mile bike. Weaver was 6th among men with a time 7 hours, 35 minutes, 3 seconds, while Tegg completed the race in 9:31:45.
In the half iron distance race, Hulda Black, Wendy Smith, Jodi Hari, and Stephane Heppe all completed the 70.3 distance (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run) for the first time. Black was the 21st female and placed 4th in the 35-39 age group with a time of 6:02:02. Smith, competing on her birthday, finished in 7:26:09, Hari in 7:31:04, and Heppe in 7:31:43. Half iron veterans Jessica Miner and Julie Sibley finished in 6:38:31 and 7:05:19, respectively.
The final first-timer was Riley Cate. The 13-year-old completed her first Olympic distance race, posting an aquabike time of 2:21:41.
Lisa Kiley was the top GRF finisher in the Olympic, taking 2nd in 55-59 in 3:06:32.
Peoria Triathlon
Huber won the 35-39 Age Group with a time of 1:04:17. His bike time of 34:01 (22.93) was the 3rd best of the day.
Michael Braun placed 16th overall in 1:09:19 despite an issue with his bike that forced him to run the bike in the last quarter mile. His swim time of 6:34 was 6th best among men, and his run pace of 6:03 was 8th best of the day. Nancy Braun placed 2nd in 50-54 with a time of 1:28:57. Her swim time of 8:24 on the 500-yard course was the women’s 6th best time.
