SEELEY & KORNELL TAKE 2ND ANNUAL OLIVER HALF IRON
Ironman Triathlete Matt Seeley (Montana) and ITU triathlete Gillian Kornell took top honors this past Sunday at the second annual Oliver Half Iron in Oliver, British Columbia. A scenic and challenging ride through the “Wine Capital of Canada” and an afternoon of rain that started with most athletes out on the bike course made for an interesting race. The event hosted athletes from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington State, Oregon, Montana and California this year.
The field for the event included 2005 winner and former Canadian National Duathlon champion Kyle Marcotte and Jeff Krar a top ten finisher at Lake Placid, both are from Calgary. Also returning to Oliver was local Ironman and Coach Kevin Cutjar from Penticton.
Seeley led tape to tape with an impressive new course record of 4:03:44. This was Seeley’s first year at the Oliver Half. Seeley was 9:31 ahead of 2004 winner Kyle Marcotte who finished in 4:13:13. Seeley was in Oliver in preparation for his next race at Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene Triathlon on June 26th.
In third was the 2004 second place finisher Jeff Krar in 4:14:22. Fourth place saw up and coming Kelowna native Micheal Cambridge in a time of 4:17:19. Cambridge shaved more than 22 minutes of his 2004 time. Fifth place was Ironman athlete and Team Impact triathlon coach Kevin Cutjar in a time of 4:18:43.
On the woman’s side ITU specialist Gillian Moody (nee Moody) was the first overall female and 16th overall in a new course record of 4:37:46. Kornell ranked 30th in the world at the Olympic distance was looking for a challenge between races on her ITU race schedule. Kornell finished almost 15 minutes ahead of the second place female finisher Penny Plamondon who finished in a time of 4:52:52.
In third was pro triathlete Barb Scatchard from Penticton in a time of 4:53:49 racing in Oliver for the first time this year. Fourth place saw Jessica Depew of Vancouver finish in 5:04:45. Fifth place was Kathleen Wood in a time of 5:11:17.
The event featured 437 athletes from across Canada and the Pacific Northwest and a $4,200 prize purse. Ten Subaru Ironman Canada qualifying spots were also up for grabs this year.
2006 registration information to be announced soon
TOP 5 MALEs
Matt Seeley 4:03:44
Kyle Marcotte 4:13:13
Jeff Krar 4:14:22
Micheal Cambridge 4:17:19
Kevin Cutjar 4:18:43
TOP 5 FEMALES
Gillian Kornell 4:37:46
Penny Plamondon 4:52:52
Barb Scatchard 4:53:49
Jessica Depew 5:04:45
Kathleen Wood 5:11:17
For further information about the race check out:
www.oliverhalf.ca