Local Triathlete Still Pushing the Limits
Aches can't slow Riddle, Pruitt
Giant Acorn Triathlon
Date published: 10/5/2008
BY KURT NICOLL
BUMPASS--
Doing back-to-back triathlons on consecutive weekends is no big deal--as long as the contestant is physically tough and totally focused.
Justin Riddle of King George County and Crystal Pruitt of Poquoson overcame health concerns to achieve that feat at yesterday's third annual Giant Acorn Triathlon at Lake Anna.
"I did the Monster RAT [Rappahannock Adventure Triathlon] last weekend, and I have been sick with congestion all week," said Riddle, who posted the fastest time of 640 participants in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 36 seconds. "I was like, 'Man, I don't know how this is going to go,' and I almost didn't come.
"Yesterday, I said: 'I'm going to race. Just forget about it. It's short. Just go as hard as I can, because it is just going to be about an hour race.'"
Riddle, a member of Tri-Fred, Bike Stop Racer of Culpeper and Team Arsenal, also placed first in the Colonial Beach Triathlon as well as the Monster RAT and recorded high finishes at last month's Louisville Ironman and Savage Mountain Triathlon.
The 33-year-old Old Dominion University graduate credited the cheering support of his family (parents Tom and Frances Riddle, wife Jessica and 18-month-old son Codie) for assisting him though some difficult obstacles in the opening 750-meter swim.
Although posting the day's fastest time, Riddle is not technically the overall winner, since he registered in his age group (30-34) instead of the open division.
Cal Biesecker of Barboursville had the second-fastest time (1:04.20) and emerged as the overall winner.
Race director Greg Hawkins indicated the open division was formed so the fastest entries would have a clear path in front of them to start, but indicated the likelihood that next year's field will be assigned to their respective divisions based on age only.
Pruitt knocked 34 seconds off last year's time, finishing at 1:07.41 to repeat as female open champion. The Virginia Tech senior competed in the Naylor's Beach Triathlon last weekend.
"It's a good confidence booster. Back in May, I didn't know when I would be racing again," said Pruitt, who suffered a fall and broken hip at the duathlon nationals in Richmond in April. "At first, they thought I would need a hip replacement.
"I'm just happy to be out here racing again. It's pretty cool that my time was actually faster than last year."
There were 15 entries in the team competition. Fox and the Hound from Fork Union finished first (1:18).
While many of the surveyed entries listed difficult swimming conditions as their biggest concern, David Shuttleworth of King George cited drafting by some of the cyclists (staying within three bike lengths of the person in front) as his major complaint, and recommended more race officials along the 20-kilometer course.
Hawkins indicated that officials had the authority to assess penalties for riders suspected of drafting, but noted the difficulty of monitoring the violation with so many entries on a relatively short course.
"I was in a group of people that was passing each other regularly," Bert Jacoby noted. "I didn't notice anybody doing anything that I would consider drafting."
Competing in his first triathlon in over a year, Jacoby placed second in his age group and 41st overall (1:12.04).
Kathryn Diaz of Fredericksburg marked her 30th birthday with her first triathlon and was naturally a little nervous, but completed the course without mishap in a time of 1:40.29.
"I was just used to swimming in a pool. So I went, 'It looks like fun and you can do it,'" she reasoned.
Other high finishers from the area included Danielle Tinder (Barboursville), third in 1:11.40; Nicole Weidensaul (Locust Grove), 22nd in 1:20.58; and Julia Peck (Culpeper), 27th in 1:22.01.
Also, Kate Chesley (Fredericksburg), 35th in 1:23.33; Michelle Messick (Fredericksburg), 40th in 1:24.37; Rob Kruger (Fredericksburg), 50th in 1:12.31; and Daryl Chesley (Fredericksburg), 65th in 1:15.16.
