Groff, Mola Take Wins At Clermont ITU Pan American Championships

American Sarah Groff came back from a tough race at Escape From Alcatraz last weekend (she ended up needing staples in her head) to take the win at today’s draft-legal, sprint-distance ITU Pan American Championships in Clermont, Fla. She combined a 10:17 swim, a 30:22 bike and a 17:43 run to take the win in 1:00:17. Denmark’s Helle Frederiksen finished second just six seconds later. American Kaitlin Donner rounded out the podium in third.

Spain’s Mario Mola took the victory in the men’s race thanks to a 9:29 swim, a 27:39 bike and a 15:07 run. South Africa’s Richard Murray finished second, with American Jarrod Shoemaker earning third. In his first triathlon back since his bike accident in July of 2012, American Lukas Verzbicas finished the swim and bike but did not record a run or finish time.

ITU Pan American Cup Clermont
Clermont, Fla. – March 9, 2013
750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run

Women
1. Sarah Groff (USA) 1:00:17
2. Helle Frederiksen (DEN) 1:00:23
3. Kaitlin Donner (USA) 1:00:31
4. Alicia Kaye (USA) 1:00:44
5. Paula Findlay (CAN) 1:00:51

Men
1. Mario Mola (ESP) 53:56
2. Richard Murray (RSA) 54:12
3. Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) 54:19
4. Joao Pereira (POR) 54:28
5. Kyle Jones (CAN) 54:32

Complete results.