With nearly 200 registered athletes, the inaugural First Capital Triathlon was a major success among participants, volunteers and race coordinators.
T
he Chamber of Commerce and YMCA hosted the event as athletes got their morning started at 7 a.m. with a swim followed by a bike ride and finished the race with a 5K run. The center of the event was at Guthrie Lake.
The overall male winner was triathlon veteran Trey Cone of Edmond with a time of 1:02.05. The first female to cross the line was Jane Ziegler of Richardson, TX in 1:08.09.
Photo Gallery One | Photo Gallery Two | Race Results
According to Matt Mueller, who helped conduct the event, the course was a challenge because of the winner’s times.
“The overall winner did not finish under an hour. Normally the winner of a sprint triathlon will finish under an hour,” Mueller said following the trophy presentation.
The athletes took off into the lake and swam 500 meters which is about the equivalent of five-and-a-half football fields. The runners exited at the boat dock and quickly made it to the transition area to their bicycles.
On the bike, each competitor went 12.5 miles beginning on Lake Road and winding their way down Coltrane Road to Seward Road, that included the rolling hills, before turning around at the intersection of Forrest Hills and Douglas (area of Lazy E) and returning back to the lake.
From there, the athletes made the transition from bike to run. Each runner made their way down Lake Road to Triplett and eventually turning around at Sooner Road to head down the stretch run of the 5K (3.1 miles) race and crossing the finish line at Guthrie Lake.
“It’s a very, very challenging course because of the hills and the challenging climbs they have on both the bike course and the run course,” Mueller explained.
Outside of a few stickers and a couple of bee stings the medical crew was able to watch and enjoy the race.
“I think for a first year event we couldn’t ask for anything better,” Mueller concluded with.
Success for the city of Guthrie
Civic leaders were excited about the success of the event and a major part of that came from volunteers along with city and county staff.
The Guthrie Police Department and Logan County Sheriff’s Office helped with blocking of streets along the course while the Guthrie Fire Department had their rescue boat out for the swim portion of the race.
Kent Denham, of Guthrie Bicycle, stayed busy along the bike course helping bikers with any bike equipment issues from dropped chains to flat tires.
Dozens of volunteers filled the streets as early as 5 a.m. with marking participants, checking in-and-out proper equipment and aiding the athletes in the right direction.
“I think it was a very positive experience and we are just happy to bring all these folks to Guthrie and let them see what we have to offer,” Mueller said.
It was a great event. The organizers and volunteers were welcoming and very supportive. I’ll definitely be back…with friends.
Great to see this for Guthrie. I understand a few of my Guthrie Officer firends participated!!!