Austin Jackson, Emily Richard Win Events DC Nation’s Triathlon
The 2014 Events DC Nation’s Triathlon welcomed athletes from 15 countries, 47 states and the District of Columbia .
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The 2014 Events DC Nation’s Triathlon to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society welcomed athletes from 15 countries, 47 states and the District of Columbia today for its 9th annual race around the Nation’s Capital. More than 3,000 athletes participated in the prestigious event, which is known for its scenic course that winds through the National Mall and Memorial Parks before finishing at West Potomac Park.
With cooler temperatures and overcast weather kicking off race morning, sprint and Olympic athletes took part in a bike and run past some of the nation’s most historical monuments including Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Navy Memorial, Kennedy Center, Jefferson Memorial and the Pentagon. Due to severe rain that took place the night before the race, the swim course was cancelled.
Elite amateurs and age groupers went head-to-head in a competitive field. First to cross the Olympic finish line was Arlington-resident Austin Jackson in 1:36:59, while Ryan Post from Estero, Fla. finished just over two minutes later in 1:39:01. Washington DC’s Barry McCarron rounded out the top three in 1:41:13.
“The race was amazing, and we could have asked for better weather,” said Jackson, who participated in the triathlon in 2009 and placed in the top 20. “The bike course was awesome, and it’s cool being out there without any traffic. It was an awesome run course around the memorials with a strong crowd of spectators.”
Emily Richard from Washington DC took first place in the women’s Olympic race with a time of 1:45:20, followed by Hilary Cairns, also from DC, in 1:47:15. Traveling all the way from Abu Dhabi, Alice Wilson placed third in 1:50:27.
“It was great. It was a little windy on the bike, but I felt really strong,” said Richard, who trains together with second place winner Hilary Cairns. “It was great to have all the local DC Tri Club people cheering me on.”
For the first time in the race’s nine-year history, the triathlon added a shorter Sprint distance race. Benjamin Green from New York placed first in the men’s Sprint division in 1:01:16, while Brooke Kessler from Harpers Ferry, WV, won the women’s race in 1:07:07.
“The Events DC Nation’s Triathlon showcases the best of Washington DC and we enjoyed welcoming participants to the Nation’s Capital,” said Molly Quinn, Vice President of Triathlon Events at CGI. “Our title partnership with Events DC and our airline partnership with Etihad Airways helped us attract triathletes from around the world to one of the premiere multisport events in the U.S.”
With its spectacular course and world-class reputation, the Events DC Nation’s Triathlon featured several races-within-a-race including the Military Challenge, open to active duty military and veterans; CQ Roll Call Congressional Challenge sponsored by Herbalife, open to federal and Capital Hill employees; Etihad Airways Tri Club Challenge, for triathlon club members; and the First Responders Challenge, for all active duty police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical personnel or other first responders.
Through its partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training program, participants have raised more than $14 million for blood cancer research and patient service programs since its inception.
Representatives from Etihad Airways presented two winners of the Etihad Airways Tri Club Challenge with round-trip airfare to Abu Dhabi, and free entry into the sister triathlon in that city, also sponsored by Etihad Airways, Tri Yas.
For complete results from the 2014 Events DC Nation’s Triathlon To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit: NationsTri.com.