Limkemann, Kessler Win Challenge New Albany
Over 1000 participants competed in the inaugural Challenge New Albany over the weekend.
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The United States’ Eric Limkemann bested a strong men’s field which included uber biker Andrew Starykowicz and Australia’s Leon Griffin in the inaugural Challenge New Albany. Limkemann used the fourth-fastest swim (22:51), the day’s fastest bike split of 2:07:14 and the sixth fastest run (1:18:43) to win soundly in 3:50:30.Griffin was second in 3:56:16, followed by Starykowicz, who suffered a crash on the bike, in third in 3:56:35.
On the women’s side, Meredith Kessler used the fastest swim (24:21) and bike (2:24:57) splits to exit T2 with a slight lead over Jennifer Spieldenner. Kessler and Spieldenner were shoulder to shoulder as they entered the hot corner in downtown New Albany less than a half mile into the race. Kessler’s third-fastest (1:27:32) run was good enough to pull away from Spieldnner for the win in 4:19:02. Spieldenner hung tough for second in 4:23:14 and Julian Petersen (4:24:08), Haley Chura (4:29:58) and Carly Johann (4:33:01) rounded out the top five.
Over 1000 participants competed in the inaugural Challenge New Albany over the weekend.