Ralph's California Half-Ironman 5/19/02
Hypercat Athletes do GR-8!
Under overcast skies and misty wet
conditions, Hypercat athletes Kevin Kennedy and Rachel Sears competed in
the California Half-Ironman in Oceanside, CA.
An age group Hawaii Ironman qualifier, the
Cal Half brought out the best amateur competitors on a very fast race
course.
The course featured a 1.2 mile protected
open water swim in Oceanside Harbor. Essentially a straight out and
back swim, there were little problems with navigation and minimal current
and only moderate chop at the turnaround.
The 56 mile bike was essentially flat with a few rollers and many narrow
sections. The nature of the course, and its 3 out and back sections,
created congestion and some bunching up of athletes. There were also some
sections that were quite dangerous due to little separation between
athletes headed in opposite directions.
The 13.1 mile run consisted of two
virtually flat laps along the Strand and through a residential beach
community.
Kevin Kennedy exited the water in 29:31 and
made up ground, passing training partner, Rachel Sears, on the bike on his
way to a 2:19:47 bike split. Kevin worked hard on the run covering
the distance in 1:26:53 to finish in a blazing, 4:20:20!
Kevin finished 8th in the M25-29 age group.
Congratulations Kevin!
Kevin will continue his preparations for Ironman Austria.
Rachel Sears, in her first triathlon as a
professional, set PR's in all three disciplines.
Despite stopping to fix a wayward chain and difficulties with course
congestion, Rachel also posted the fastest female pro bike split.
Her overall time was 4:37:00 and she finished
8th place. Rachel's next multi-sport race is the Escape
from Alcatraz triathlon.
