SPRINGFIELD – Christine Kachelmuss and Julie Zei led a large contingent of Reapers, winning their divisions in their respective races, at TriHarder Promotions largest race day of the season Saturday.
Kachelmuss, prepping for September’s Ironman Wisconsin race, placed first in the 30-34 division of the Route 66 Half, with a time of 5:47:17. She covered the 2000-meter swim in 38:34; posted a strong bike pace of 19.4 mph in the 56-mile bike leg for a time of 2:52:46; and ran the 13.1-mile course in 2:12:28.
Zei was 1st in the 30-34 division of Abe’s Olympic, which consists of a 1500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run. Her finishing time was 3:06:14.
Also competing in the Route 66 race were two more Reapers preparing for Ironman Wisconsin. Scott Karstens, despite a crash early in the bike portion of his race, finished 8th in 50-54 at 6:34:53. Brian Spaulding finished at 6:32:15 in the wetsuit division. USA Triathlon rules allow racers to wear wetsuits when the water temperature is less than 78 degrees; when the water temperature is between 78 and 84, racers may wear wetsuits, but they are not eligible for age group awards.
Finally, Jori Cooper, Tim Auth, and Matt Lawson teamed up for the relay event, finishing 4th in 5:21:17.
Back to the Abe’s Olympic race, the relay team of Laura Becher, Laurie Bederka, and Racheal Chiolero finished 2nd in 2:43:16. Erin Weizeoric finished 3rd in 25-29 at 3:09:41, while Lauri Meins was 3rd in 35-39 at 3:17:25. Greg Dietz finished atop the wetsuit division at 2:38:33.
In the Stoneman sprint (500-yard swim, 13-mile bike, 3.1-mile run), Ami Hileman finished 2nd in 55-59 at 1:34:20 and Leeanne Forshee was 5th in 50-54 at 1:34:20. Dan Wolfe finished atop the wetsuit division at 1:29:06.
