Granite Bay CA – The 2015 XTERRA Real was staged at Granite Beach at Folsom Lake. The off-road triathlon consisted of an 800 meter swim, 16 mile bike and a 4 mile trail run.
Debby Sullivan took the overall women’s title with second year professional Kara LaPoint coming in second and Kelsey Withrow of Freeplay in 3rd.
Although both Sullivan and LaPoint have done some early season mountain bike races and trail races, today’s event was the first triathlon of the season for both athletes. LaPoint has just recently been able to get back in the pool and on her bike. Earlier this season she underwent surgery on her hand.
Kelsey Withrow, an former ITU pro who is now focusing on longer road triathlons, was first out of the water with a time of 12:39. Sullivan used her strength on the bike to ride her way into first on the first lap of the two lap course. Sullivan posted the fast bike split of the day. She maintained her spot on the run and finished with the win in a time of a1:58:57.
Meanwhile in Oceanside, over 3000 athletes raced in the first Half-Ironman of the season here in the United State at the California 70.3. The Half-Ironman distance consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 run.
Local age group athletes, Maria Hodges and Faith Lehman both competed in the 2015 event. Hodges put together a strong race to place 4th in the 25-29 age group and Lehman’s 32 minute swim and 3:03 bike were fast enough to land her a spot in the top 20. Oceanside is one of the most competitive half-ironman races on Ironman schedule. This race was Hodges fourth triathlon this season. Earlier this season she competed in 3 races in the Philipines including Challenge Philipines and Ironman Subic Bay. Hodges next race will be The HITS Triathlon in Napa in April and Lehman gearing up for Ironman Coeur d’Alene in June.
Top Female Finishers at Xterra Real
- Debby Sullivan (Folsom Bike)
- Kara LaPoint (Luna Bar)
- Kelsey Withrow (Team Freeplay)