2013 XTERRA at Beaver Creek
The XTERRA Mountain Championship in Beaver Creek, Colorado brought out fine winning performances from local hero Josiah Middaugh of nearby Vail and a remarkable domination by Durango, Colorado’s Shonny Vanlandingham. After all, what’s so tough about beating an international field of XTERRA aces at age 44 two years after a major knee operation? “This is the first time my knee hasn’t hurt on the run since I injured it in 2011,” said Vanlandingham. “It’s a long rehab process, and I’m still rehabbing. I’m not as good as 2010 but hoping with two more months I can contend this year at Worlds.”
This race is conducted on major ski resort grounds that rise some 2,000 feet from the lake in Avon to the summit of the 15-mile mountain bike course. It was just what the doctor ordered for former XTERRA World Champion, Ironman 70.3 World Champion and Ironman Hawaii 3rd place finisher Julie Dibens, who is recovering from a major leg and foot operation and wanted a fun hit out in her first competitive triathlon start in over a year. Dibens led the bike through the first 10 miles before Vanlandingham took charge, and ultimately finished 7th.
“It was great to be back out on the race course,” said Dibens. “Physically, it was much as I expected…fugly! Mentally, the hardest part was putting myself out there, but I'm glad I did! Injury wise… I held up pretty well. I struggled to run on the steep ups and downs, especially on the single track, but on flatter ground everything felt good.”
XTERRA Mountain Championship
Beaver Creek, Colorado
July 20, 2013
S 1 mi. / B 15 mi. / R 6 mi.
Pro Men
1. Josiah Middaugh (USA) 2:08:00
2. Branden Rakita (USA) 2:13:56
3. Ben Hoffman (USA) 2:14:20
4. Cody Waite (USA) 2:15:38
5. Ryan Ignatz (USA) 2:16:52
6. Kyle Leto (USA) 2:17:31
7. Dan Hugo (RSA) 2:21:31
Pro Women
1. Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) 2:29:51
2. Danelle Kabush (CAN) 2:31:39
3. Kelley Cullen (USA) 2:33:38
4. Suzie Snyder (USA) 2:34:02
5. Emma Garrard (USA) 2:36:26
6. Flora Duffy (BER) 2:38:07
7. Julie Dibens (GBR) 2:38:32
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
Ryan Ignatz of Boulder Colorado rode a 5th fastest 1:14:51 and finished 5th male pro.
Age group woman makes a calm, pre race stretch.
Age group men swim start.
In his first XTERRA, Kyle Leto posted the fastest swim – 18:32 – and finished 6th.
Josiah Middaugh mounts his bike Pony Express style on his way to fastest bike split – 1:08:04.
In her first XTERRA, Bermuda Olympian Flora Duffy, leaves T1 on her way to a 6th place finish in 2:38:07 — 25 seconds ahead of fellow Boulder resident Julie Dibens.
Cody Waite of Lakewood, Colorado finished 4th male pro in 2:16:52.
Shonny Vanlandingham of Durango, Colorado, won her 4th Beaver Creek XTERRA event in the last 5 years.
Climbing the mountains can make any age grouper thirsty. Ezra Velez finished 15th in men’s 35-39.
The steep climb under the ski run chairlift is alleviated by a long series of switchbacks.
Kathy Waite finished 3rd in women’s 35-39.
Speeding through the woods as photographer looks on.
Former XTERRA World Champion Julie Dibens led through Mile 10 of the bike, and then fell gradually back to a satisfied 7th in her first triathlon after a leg and foot operation in 2011.
Richard Byyny of Denver cools off after a long climb.
Josiah Middaugh flies through the woods to a race-fastest 37:49 run on his way to a 2:08:00 finish and a 5:56 margin over runner-up Branden Rakita.
Branden Rakita of Colorado Springs finished second – one of his best ever XTERRA U.S. Pro Series finishes.
Ben Hoffman of Boulder, a multiple Ironman winner, finished 3rd male pro.
Jason Michalak of Crested Butte finished 8th.
Defending women’s champion Danelle Kabush of Calgary, Canada finished 2nd, 1:48 behind Vanlandingham.
Josiah Middaugh of Vail, Colorado, the defending XTERRA USA Champion, the 2012 XTERRA World Championship silver medalist and winner of 3 of 4 starts in the 2013 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series, won by 5:56 on his home trails.
