Three levels of participants gathered at Huntington Lake and State Park on Saturday for the annual San Rafael Classic Triathlon.
Around 300 participated in the event, including 35 finishers in the junior triathlon. Others participated in the olympic triathlon (one mile swim, 30 mile bike ride, and 10k run), olympic duathlon (biking and running), sprint triathlon (.5 mile swim, 15 mile bike ride, and 5k run), and sprint duathlon.
Deegan Minchey and Lauren Engar tied in the junior triathlon with a time of 13:46. Taleigh Price finished second at 13:50.
In the biggest event of the day, the olympic triathlon, Kathryn Throolin nipped Barret Nelson at 2:40:33. Nelson came in at 2:40:50. Erich Kuster finished second with a time of 2:40:51. Meagan Johnson came in second in the women’s division nearly 20 minutes after Throolin with a time of 2:59:18.
Bryan Lepinske and Kristi Paul finished first in their respective divisions in the sprint triathlon. Lepinske posted at time of 1:19:10 and Paul finished nearly four minutes in front of second-place finisher Kobee Scott at 1:29:54.
In races like these just finishing, though, can be a major accomplishment.
“It feels good to be finished,” said Springville resident John Petersen. “I struggled with all three sections but it’s always good to be done, and I did it and survived.”
Petersen also enjoys the venue and the event volunteers.
“This event is always well organized,” he said. “This is my second time racing this specific race and both times it’s been well organized and they treat the athletes well, that’s always nice. The water was good and it’s just great to come back to Emery County.”
For complete race results, click here.