Dima Kaliakin makes it look like running ultras is fun.
Not one to rest on his earlier ultra-exploits this summer, CRR Dimitri (“Dima”) Kaliakin, son of CRR Vic Kaliakin, competed in two more grueling endurance events.
On July 28 at 5 a.m., Kaliakin hit the starting line to compete in the Viaduct Trail Ultra 100 miler in Lanesboro in northeastern Pennsylvania. The rail-trail course comprised four laps of a 25-mile out-and-back route. There were 19 (17 men and 2 women) who began the event; eleven (10 men and one woman) finished. Kaliakin was second among those who completed the event, finishing 41 minutes after midnight on July 29—a time of 19 hours, 41 minutes. Even father Vic got a good workout, bicycling alongside his son for 30 of the miles.
On Sept. 2 of Labor Day weekend, Kaliakin competed in the Labor Pains 12-Hour Endurance Trail Run in Reading, Pa. This trail course consisted of a 5-mile loop including steep uphills and downhills done multiple times. The 23-year-old Kaliakin completed 13 laps within the 12-hour limit, covering 65 miles, finishing second overall out of 400 runners. His official time for those 13 laps was 11:11:38. Note: runners were not allowed out on another loop if they would not be able to finish the loop within the 12-hour total time limit.
Well done, but yikes!
Whatever the key was, 58-year-old CRR Bruce Weber shaved significant seconds off of his typically fast (mid-19s) 5K times this past weekend at the Brew Works 5K in Wilmington. Placing second overall and taking the prize for the top master’s runner, Weber ran a 19:08, having been bested only by former University of Delaware standout Pat Boettcher, who is many years Weber’s junior.
On Sunday, August 19, the annual Top of Delaware Triathlon was contested. This grueling sprint triathlon comprises a 750m swim in the scenic Newark Reservoir, a hilly 20K bike, and a combo paved-surface/trail 5K, culminating with a dreadful climb to the finish. Four Creek Road Runners met and conquered the challenge this year.
Our crew was led by 59-year-old CRR Steve Tague, who finished 12th overall out of 158 finishers, in 1:11:35. Tague’s splits were 13:59 swim (12th), 35:21 bike (19th), and 21:02 run (18th), each very solid times. He placed second in the 55-59 age group.
Winning the 65-69 age group was 68-year-old Top of Delaware veteran CRR Doug Repetti, who finished 92nd overall in 1:32:34, turning in splits of 22:50, 41:16, and 26:03, respectively.
CreekRoadRunners.org 