Starykowicz and Watts capture Clash Watkins Glen
Inaugural event at famous race track features extremely tough bike and run courses
He might be renowned as one of the sport’s premier cyclists, but today he proved that he can swim and run pretty well, too – Andrew Starykowicz managed to hang on for the win today at the inaugural Clash Endurance Watkins Glen triathlon. On the women’s side Sophie Watts dominated the day with an impressive win.
Starykowicz led the men out of Lake Seneca, the largest of the Finger Lakes in New York State, finishing the swim in 25:23. The 40-year-old then dominated the extremely hilly bike (riding 2:01 for 50 miles – “I can’t remember when I was over two hours for a 56-mile bike,” Starykowicz said after the race). Jason West and Nick Chase trailed by just over five minutes as they started the three-loop, 10-mile run around the challenging Watkins Glen International track. West would close the gap to 36 seconds with a couple of miles to go, but Starykowicz found another gear and pulled clear to take the win in 3:27:03. West took second in 3:27:57, with Chase rounding out the top three in 3:33:37.
Canadian Jessey The Elf took the prime for fastest first transition, earning US$1,000 for his efforts.
Marchant takes T1 prime
Haley Chura led the women out of the water in 31:55, but it wasn’t long before Watts charged to the front on the bike. Canadian Kirsten Marchant flew through the first transition to earn herself the US$1,000 prime.
Off the bike Watts was well ahead after a 2:18:36 bike split, then the former collegiate runner from Stanford University opened up more time, running 1:01:16 for the tough 10 mile course to take the win in 3:54:18. Chura would take second in 4:03:31, with Smith rounding out the podium in 4:08:42.
Marchant finished fifth in 4:17:06.
