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Date published: 7/9/2001
They had iron in their veins and Conte on their jerseys yesterday in the winner's circle of the Pohanka Nissan-Outback Steakhouse YMCA Colonial Beach Triathlon.
Both the men's and women's winners are veteran Ironman racers and both race for Virginia-based Conte's Bike Shops. If not for early morning storms, they would have headed the race's biggest field ever in its 17 years with 400 pre-registrants. But race director Terry McLaughlin said the stormy weather chased a fair portion of the triathletes away from the event that was delayed one hour and 45 minutes. Many cited slippery, wet roads as the obstacle they most feared in the bike portion of the race. Event organizers, who originally planned for a one-kilometer swim along with a 40K bike and 10K run, had to shorten the swim to approximately 400 meters due to rough waters caused by the storms. Richmond's Tim Morris, 28, proved the foul weather wouldn't interfere with his performance at the race. He defended his title from last year and has become royalty at the event, having won four of the past five Colonial Beach triathlons. He said the wait was something everyone understood due to uncontrollable weather conditions. "Everyone was in the same boat. You just had to walk around and drink a little more water. The day turned out to be really nice," Morris said. The women's winner, Jill Riblett of Virginia Beach, added a victory to her collection of top-three Colonial Beach finishes. She was second in the race two years ago, and she placed third last season. Morris' ex-teammate, Erik Sorensen of Falls Church, kept the men's race exciting. Morris completed the 400-meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run in 1 hour, 41 minutes, and three seconds, which was just 35 seconds faster than Sorensen. Sorensen and Morris competed on the University of Virginia's cross country and track teams. Since leaving school, triathlons have served as occasional reunions for the two. Both are seasoned Ironman competitors. Morris has competed in four Ironman World Championships in Hawaii and Sorensen has completed three. Morris will also be competing in an Ironman qualifier in Lake Placid in two weeks. "I felt good out there. Tim was just really strong," said Sorensen, who placed second in his age group for 30- to 34-year-olds at the national competition for the United States Association of Triathlons last season.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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