Published July 10, 2011 03:48PM
This half-iron distance race, held at Blue Lake Park located 20 minutes outside of downtown Portland, is the fourth stop of six in the Rev3 Triathlon Series. With a total prize purse of $50,000–$7,000 of that for first place in both the men’s and women’s races—the competition was stacked. Series leaders Matty Reed and Julie Dibens were not present, however. Reed raced the Lifetime Fitness Tri in Minneapolis yesterday while Diebens was scheduled to race the Boulder Peak 5150 this morning.
Written by: Erin Beresini
Men
Water temperature was measured at a balmy 72.8 degrees, making this race wetsuit-illegal. Graeme O’Grady led the swim while superbiker, Jordan Rapp, chased, ready to prove himself after missing the 2010 season because of a serious bike accident. The 0.4-mile run to T1 gave weaker swimmers a little leeway to make up lost time. O’Grady was first onto the bike, chased by James Cotter and Richie Cunningham. O’Grady kept his lead long into the bike, while Rapp snaked his way into second with Cunningham on his heels. Coming into T2, it was anybody’s race, but O’Grady cinched it, even with one of the slower pro runs of the day, winning in 3:51:11. Cunningham crossed the line nine seconds behind, outkicking Rapp who finished just two seconds behind Cunningham.
Women
Ironman Canada champion Meredith Kessler led the swim, ready to redeem herself after DNFing at her last two races while the favored winner, Kate Major, hung back in fifth place. Kessler jumped on her bike first with Malaika Homo hot on her heels. Bree Wee and Kate Major followed close behind. Now the race was heating up. Kessler held her lead into the bike, followed by Homo then Major in third, and continued to lead onto the run course. Major led the chase in the footrace to catch Kessler with Homo staying on her heels, but to no avail. Kessler led from start to finish, winning the race by over six minutes in 4:16:34. Major edged out Homo for second.
Rev3 Portland
Portland, Ore. – July 10, 2011
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Graham O’Grady 3:51:11
2. Richie Cunningham 3:51:20
3. Jordan Rapp 3:51:22
4. Jesse Thomas 3:52:02
5. Chris McDonald 3:54:43
Women
1. Meredith Kessler 4:16:34
2. Kate Major 4:23:09
3. Malaika Homo 4:25:18
4. Bree Wee 4:27:52
5. Amanda Lovato 4:30:54