Limkemann & Kelleher Win Rev3 Half Full Triathlon, Armstrong Finishes Half-Rev
Eric Limkemann and Nicole Kelleher earned the pro victories, while Armstrong was the first cancer survivor to finish the half-Rev.
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While the pre-race headlines centered around the race’s decision to welcome Lance Armstrong to the start, the modified Olympic-distance professional race was largely unaffected by the presence of the cycling superstar. The pro men kicked off the action at 7:15 a.m., followed by the pro women at 7:18 a.m. Armstrong, who raced the half-Rev distance event as part of the cancer survivors’ wave, started his race at 8 a.m. local time.
Race day did not present ideal conditions for the athletes, with temperatures hovering in the low 50s at the start and rain in the forecast.
American Eric Limkemann led the men’s race throughout swim, bike and run. He crossed the finish line in 2:18:02 to earn the victory. American Kyle Leto finished second two minutes back, with American Dorian Wagner rounding out the top-three.
For the women, it was former Olympian Becky Lavelle (USA) who led the efforts into T1 after a chilly swim. American Malaika Homo averaged just-under 22 miles per hour on the 32-mile bike leg to lead into T2. The run was all about eventual winner Nicole Kelleher. She finished in 2:31:31 to take the victory. Homo finished second one minute later. Cancer survivor Laurel Wassner (USA) earned a podium spot in third.
Armstrong was the first cancer survivor to finish the half-Rev distance race. He completed the 1.2-mile swim in 25:27, the 56-mile bike in 2:25:12 and the half-marathon in 1:20:45, earning an overall time of 4:16:32.
After his finish, Armstrong talked about racing with fellow cancer survivors at the event.
“If people don’t have that survivor label as part of their person, then the rest is pretty much useless,” Armstrong said. “If I didn’t survive, then I wouldn’t have been here today. That’s the most important thing. There’s no guarantee I’ll survive forever. I’ll keep in mind that surviving 16 is great, but I have to make it another 50.”
He also talked about his relationship with Doug Ulman, who is the founder of the Ulman Foundation and the CEO of Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation.
“Doug and his crew and his family have been an integral part of my life,” he said at the finish line. “He’s a special guy. Livestrong wouldn’t be what it is without him. He’s incredibly bright and strategic. I appreciate that he’s been with me. “
Rev3 Half Full Triathlon
Columbia, Md. – Oct. 7, 2012
.9-mile swim, 32-mile bike, 6.5-mile run
Men
1. Eric Limkemann (USA) 2:18:02
2. Kyle Leto (USA) 2:19:56
3. Dorian Wagner (USA) 2:20:36
4. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 2:22:30
5. Fraser Cartmell (SCO) 2:22:34
Women
1. Nicole Kelleher (USA) 2:31:31
2. Malaika Homo (USA) 2:32:37
3. Laurel Wassner (USA) 2:36:03
4. Becky Lavelle (USA) 2:38:51
5. Kristin Andrews (USA) 2:40:58