the 15th Annual Body versus Earth Triathlon. They had just completed a 500-meter swim in the lake, and were... VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT SILL, Okla. -- More than 70 athletes took on the challenge of the 15th Annual Body versus Earth Triathlon Sept. 7 at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area at Fort Sill.
The triathlon consisted of a 500-meter swim, an 18-mile road bike race and a 4-mile trail run. The event was hosted by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Sports Branch, and sponsored by the Fort Sill Federal Credit Union. It was part of the Operation Live Well initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle.
"We use the natural resources the Wichita Mountains and lake to put on this event," said Jay Hunt, FMWR Supervisory Sport specialist. "The background is really the draw for this triathlon."
The men's top finisher was Timo Gronlund, age 26, a Finnish student at Cameron University, with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes, 21 seconds.
"It was a fun race, and it's always nice to win," said Gronlund, a communications and language major. Gronlund, a former collegiate cross country runner, said it was his first Body vs. Earth Triathlon.
Katie Kramer, 33, of Oklahoma City, was the first women to finish, and her time was 1:36:50. It was the second straight year that she participated in the race.
"I had a much better swim, bike ride and run this year," said Kramer, Red Coyote Running and Fitness assistant manager. She described herself as a runner, and said she ran a marathon the previous weekend in Utah.
Many of the athletes, including Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course student 2nd Lt. Spencer Alexander, agreed the steep, rocky trail run was the most difficult phase of the triathlon.
"You train on flat roads and hills, but you get on the trail and it's all gravel, so you have to micro adjust," said Alexander, who is set to graduate in October. "You catch yourself walking and sinking in the sand."
Military spouse Anna Akin, of Lawton, said she used the Body vs. Earth Triathlon as preparation for an upcoming Half-Ironman triathlon, which will consist of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.
"I felt really good, it was an awesome course and I had fun," she said. "It was a good day for a race."
Second Lt. Jake Godfrey, a Field Artillery BOLC student here, was on the first-place team. Godfrey did the cycling while classmate 2nd Lt. Brendan Heller ran and swam, coming out of the water first.
"We wanted to come out here and have a good time," Godfrey said. "It's a great way to spend a Saturday."
Alexander recommended the triathlon because of its fun, laid back and friendly atmosphere.
"Before I started, my bike tire was deflating, and someone stopped his warm-up and came over and helped me fix my tire," he said. "You don't get that very often at other triathlons."
Men's top finishers
Timo Gronlund 1:17:21
Travis Newton 1:18:19
Dillon Shaffer 1:26:07
Women's top finishers
Katie Kramer 1:36:50
Stacey Brown 1:47:25
Anna Akin 1:50:27
Team results
Godfrey-Heller-Heller 1:28:00
Dream Team 2:06:29
For complete race results, visit www.dgroadracing.com and look for the Sept. 7 Body vs. Earth Triathlon results.
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