THE 2006 ITU PAN AMERICAN LONG DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTESTED IN THE NORTHWEST : trifuel.com

THE 2006 ITU PAN AMERICAN LONG DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTESTED IN THE NORTHWEST

Source: Editor

Kevin lane of Vernon, BC Canada was crowned the 2006 ITU Pan American Long Distance Age-Group Champion on Saturday September 16, 2006 at Grand Columbian Triathlon held in Grand Coulee Washington USA. The championships were contested as the only ITU Triple Triathlon distance in North America at the triple triathlon distance of 4K/120K/30K. Alicia Parr of Durham North Carolina USA was crowned the women's age-group champion and actually had the fastest women's time including the elite women.

All athletes competing in the 2006 ITU Pan American Championships were greeted with a cool desert morning, temperatures in the 50's as the sun rose over a calm Banks Lake swim at the Grand Columbian race site. In the 4K swim, Nathan Nevid of Lake Park Florida led all age-groupers out of the water with a 54.46 swim. Kevin Lane was 5 minutes down and exited the water with Alicia Parr on his heels. Kevin took control of the race in the upper mesas of th Grand Coulee area facing head winds on half the bike portion. He finished with a 3:33:55 bike for the 120 kilometers (76 miles). He held a 12 minute lead over Jean Yves Sourrel of Vancouver BC. Mark Kendall of Portland Oregon was catching up at this point, moving up from 6th place after the swim to 3rd place after the bike leg. lake and striking distance of Jean Yves. Kevin then dominated the run and left no doubt in the outcome with a 2:18:35 30K run (7:26 miles) for a final time of 6:54:11 and a 36 minute lead over second place finisher Mark Kendall.

Alicia Parr of Durham NC simply dominated from beginning to end. She had a 4th overall swim of 58:30. Facing the hills and winds she finished the bike leg in 3:51;02 bike. Her 2:30 30K sealed the win for a total race time of 7:31:25

As the ITU Pan American Championships the top 5 finishers in each age-group qualify directly to compete in Australia at the 2006 ITU World Long Distance Championships.

The Grand Columbian, now in its third year, was featured in Inside Triathlon Magazine as one of the 10 "must do" long distance triathlons in North America. The venue is spectacular with complete enthusiastic community support. This race is timed perfectly for athletes gearing up for Kona or building to November. For complete race results go to www.thegrandcolumbian.com

2006 ITU PAN AMERICAN LOND DISTANCE TRIATHLON CHAMPIONS
Name City State Country Swim Bike Run Total
Kevin Lane Vernon BC CAN 59:27 3:33:55 2:18:25 6:54:11
Mark Kendall Portland ORE USA 1:03:32 3:46:05 2:34:09 7:30:49
Jean-Yves Sauriol Vancouver BC CAN 56:36 3:45:15 2:48:47 7:36:51

Alicia Parr Durham NC USA 59:30 2:30:00 7:31:25
Jennifer Andrews Penticton BC CAN 1:13:20 4:14:48 2:55:16 8:29:39
Allison Bergh Wilson WY USA 1:13:34 4:41:40 3:34:35 9:39:06