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.
Right behind Tague (taking third) in the same age group was 58-year-old CRR Mark Wise, who finished 17th overall in 1:13:58. Wise’s splits were 14:59 swim (24th), 32:53 bike (7th, wow!), and 23:35 run (55th).
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.
Last, but certainly not least, was first-time triathlete CRR Tom Olson. The 61-year-old Olson finished 123rd overall but was 8th among those who were completing their first triathlon, clocking in at 1:39:07. His splits were 19:19, 43:28, and 31:59, respectively.
Not too shabby for a quartet of our senior runners! Congratulation, one and all.
On the distaff side, Dover resident and CRR Holly Scott placed third among the 55-59s in 50:57.
In the 5K, CRR Mark Deshon ran his best 5K time of the year, winning the 60-64s and placing 12th overall out of 444 finishers, with a 21:02. This race completed a “run” of 4-for-4 age-group wins in local races for Deshon in 2017. CRR Mary Braun finished 3rd among the 55-59s in 27:58. Multiple-state-record-holder CRR Bob Taggart placed 2nd in the 75-and-over age group in 31:10.
The fourth and final win on the day was CRR April Anderson’s, as she took the 5K’s 70-74 age group in 37:52.
In the half-marathon, CRR Natalie Rosenberg finished 68th overall (out of 1,159) in 1:41:50, placing 4th in her age group (25-29). CRR Dave Schultz just squeaked under two hours with a 1:59:37. Wife CRR Christine Schultz came in a few minutes later at 2:05:52.