Friday, June 16, 2000 -- Thurmond - Fayetteville, WV
Captain Thurmond's Challenge
Story and photos by George Gannon, with photos by Marty Lamp
[Details]
[Coverage]
Results:
[By Class]
[Bike]
[Boat]
[Bike/Boat]
[Run]
[Overall]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
[1998 Coverage]
[1999 Coverage]
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The mountain triathlon starts in Thurmond, along the banks of the New
River. At 2:00 p.m., the gun sounded and sent the bikers off in a
lemans-style start. Similar to a road race at the start, the course
turns into a tricky, forest trail with "some supper-rippen'
downhills." Rains had transformed parts of the course into a "mudbog,"
but there were still plenty of "sweet little kickers and hidden gems"
to keep the racers happy.
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The next leg consisted of navigating some of the most challenging
whitewater in the country. With the river running at -1 foot on the
Fayettville gauge, the rapids were "tricky" and a little slower that
usual. Charging through stuff like "Hook 99" and "Double Z" made for
some exciting paddling. With so many exposed rocks, clean lines
through the rapids were hard to come by.
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Fighting off all urges to expel anything from their stomachs, and crossing the finish line first, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (2:03:51) repeated as Champs in the Male Team Expert Class. Fayetteville's own BRO Fayetteville(2:12:38) took the number two spot, while Team GOYA(2:21:16) rounded out the top three.
Team Truant (2:50:35) took top honors for the second year in a row in
the Female Team Expert Class.
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For the ladies, Brenda Simril of Chattanooga, Tennessee took top honors in the Female Expert Class. Simril praised her first off-road race, saying "the bike course and the run are incredible." Debra Brown(2:46:43) and Maura Kistler(2:57:42)came in second and third respectively.
Other individual winners included Tim Daly (Sport Male,
2:40:09), Stuart Chapin (Amateur Male, 3:02:42), Ava
Carter (Amateur Female, 3:33:38), Dave Simpson (Master
Male, 2:43:29), Maggie Everett (Master Female, 3:13:22) and
Tug Chamberlin (Clydesdale Male, 3:10:10)
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The Captain Thurmond Challenge is definitely an event with "personality." After all the racers were in, a huge feast was prepared. With some kickin' music and a good vibe everybody went home happy and ready for a long nap. WVOutside shout-outs go to Cindy Dragan, Sharon Cruikshank, the New River CVB and all the race organizers and volunteers who make it happen.