Gravenhurst Triathlon Weekend Recap

Featuring the unique swim start where triathletes jump off the RMS Segwun and RMS Wenonah II Steamships into Muskoka Bay and then head back towards shore, the annually sold out Gravenhurst Triathlon continued this weekend under steaming hot 30 degree plus conditions.

Following up on his Toronto Triathlon Festival Olympic distance victory, Richmond Hill’s Andrew Bolton threw down a race leading swim (21:59) and bike (57:39) on a new course along the Frank Miller Memorial Route. With a comfy lead in hand, Bolton ran just fast enough to slip in under the 2 hour mark (1:59:39) to take the overall victory in the Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon on Saturday. Inverary’s Billy Bostad ran the fastest 10km (37:07) to take second, and Newmarket’s Dave Liddle claimed third.

Simcoe’s Emma Plater put forth a balanced attack over all three segments (including the top run of 45:28) to finish ahead of Whitby’s Stephanie Summers and Nina Sieh of Mississauga.

Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon (1.5km Swim – 40km Bike – 10km Run) – Top 5 Men

1. Andrew Bolton (Richmond Hill, ON) 1:59:39

2. Billy Bostad (Inverary, ON) 2:05:25

3. Dave Liddle (Newmarket, ON) 2:15:22

4. Steve Vandermolen (Breacebridge, ON) 2:15:26

5. Tom Fancsy (Lasalle, ON) 2:15:55

Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon (1.5km Swim – 40km Bike – 10km Run) – Top 5 Women

1. Emma Plater (Simcoe, ON) 2:21:55

2. Stephanie Summers (Whitby, ON) 2:24:45

3. Nina Sieh (Mississauga, ON) 2:27:59

4. Angela Giddens (North Bay, ON) 2:29:56

5. Jessica Adam (Toronto, ON) 2:30:03

The International Duathlon showcased a close battle between the top four overall. After the opening hilly 10 km run, Toronto’s Darren Cooney led the way into T1 (39:37), from there Etobicoke’s Andrew McLeod (31 seconds behind) hammered out a 1:03:01 bike, to lead the race into T2. With Nicolae Petrescu of Toronto in hot pursuit, McLeod managed to hold on for a 5 second victory. Windsor’s Daryl Flacks posted the top ride of 1:02:29 and held off Cooney for third.

Toronto’s Janet Manley dominated the women’s race right from the start. She opened with the top women’s run of 46:40 to take a 3 minute lead over fellow Torontonian Alex Bade, and further added to that lead with a statement making 1:12:47 ride (8 minutes faster than the next best bike time), then finished with another race best run of 23:24 to easily claim the victory in 2:24:13.

Gravenhurst International Duathlon (10km Run – 40km Bike – 5km Run) – Top 5 Men

1. Andrew McLeod (Etobicoke, ON) 2:05:19

2. Nicolae Petrescu (Toronto, ON) 2:05:24

3. Daryl Flacks (Windsor, ON) 2:07:16

4. Darren Cooney (Toronto, ON) 2:07:38

5. Kevin Gallagher (Toronto, ON) 2:14:40

Gravenhurst International Duathlon (10km Run – 40km Bike – 5km Run) – Top 5 Women

1. Janet Manley (Toronto, ON) 2:24:13

2. Stephanie Lalonde (Mississauga, ON) 2:39:36

3. Alex Bade (Toronto, ON) 2:42:35

4. Kelly Millson (Huntsville, ON) 2:45:21

5. Marie Malcolm (Bracebridge, ON) 2:56:49

Day two at Gravenhurst, saw the Sprint distance athletes take to the course.

Oakville’s Scott Campbell trailed after the 750m swim, but made use of the second best ride (31:38) and fastest run (21:33) to grab the overall win in 1:09:57.

Thornhill’s Jordie Seaton also overcame a deficit after the swim and bike, but her women’s best run (21:58) on the hot, humid and hilly course earned her the victory.

Gravenhurst Sprint Triathlon (750m Swim – 20km Bike – 5km Run) – Top 5 Men

1. Scott Campbell (Oakville ON) 1:09:57

2. Mike Battaglini (Aurora, ON) 1:10:23

3. Harold Walker (St. Thomas, ON) 1:10:41

4. Logan Hunt (King City, ON) 1:11:28

5. Ken Staples (London, ON) 1:11:38

Gravenhurst Sprint Triathlon (750m Swim – 20km Bike – 5km Run) – Top 5 Women

1. Jordie Seaton (Thornhill, ON) 1:14:45

2. Marusa Mason (Oakville, ON) 1:16:30

3. Catalina Maass (Thornhill, ON) 1:17:37

4. Jody Yoken (Toronto, ON) 1:17:40

5. Laura Burberry (London, ON) 1:17:45

Eighteen year old Brian Moore of Bracebridge ruled the day with the fasted times in all three segments. He led the opening 5km run with an 18:30 clocking, was the only athlete all day in either event to ride sub 30 minutes (29:38), and if that wasn’t enough, he blasted out a 9:53 final 2.5 km run to take the overall win 59:42 – the only sub 1 hour athlete.

Matching Moore’s performance in the men’s race, Oakville’s Anna Parker posted top splits right across the board (21:38 run, 34:42 bike, and 11:13 run) to cruise to victory on the women’s race.

Gravenhurst Sprint Duathlon (5km Run – 20km Bike – 2.5km Run) – Top 5 Men

1. Brian Moore (Bracebridge, ON) 59:42

2. Jonathan Bunn (Etobicoke, ON) 1:06:20

3. Glen Caradus (St. Agatha, ON) 1:09:25

4. David Lamy (Ashburn, ON) 1:09:50

5. Scott Morrison (St. Thomas, ON) 1:10:02

Gravenhurst Sprint Duathlon (5km Run – 20km Bike – 2.5km Run) – Top 5 Women

1. Anna Parker (Oakville, ON) 1:10:08

2. Anna Fiorito (Amherstburg, ON) 1:13:51

3. Karen Koehler (Algonquin Highlands, ON) 1:17:23

4. Karan Gardiner (St. Catherines, ON) 1:18:21

5. Karri Beck (Richmond Hill, ON) 1:18:47