Islander Aquathon hosts National Championships

This year the 2012 Islander Aquathon, put on by BTO Multisports, was the home of the National Aquathon, drawing racers from around the country to Luther Burbank Park.

Those who earned top qualifications in their divisions earned spots in the World Championships, to be held in New Zealand later this year.

The race featured the National Championship distance of a 1,500-meter swim, followed by a 10k run, or a short course of a 750-meter swim, followed by a 5k run through Luther Burbank Park.

Over 121 people participated in the long course race, with another 42 racing in the short course.

In the long course, the Vo2 Max relay team had the best time, with an overall time of 56:03.4, doing the swim in 21:08.4 and the run in 34:22. Brent Dernarest was the top individual finisher in 56:42.7 on the long course, with Matt Koenigs in third overall at 57:24.2 and Eddie Switaj fourth overall at 1:00.04. The top female finisher was Alycia Hill in 1:02.59.

In the short course event, Debbie Lavery was the first-place finisher in 38:39.4. She did the swim in 14:01 and the run in 23:01. The PMS Squared relay team was second in 38:59.3, with Heidi Hutchinson in third at 39:27.7.

Alan Weaver was the oldest to complete the race. The 74-year-old finished in 121 overall with a total time of 1:55.44 in the long course. Annie Ritcey was the youngest to complete the race, doing the short course. The 9-year-old finished in ninth overall with a time of 44:25.2.

The top 10 racers in each age group qualified for the 2012 World Championships in Auckland in October.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Reporter Megan Managan at mmanagan@mi-reporter.com or (206) 232-1215 ext. 5054.

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