Saturday, July 25, 2009 -- Bridgeport, WV / Maple Lake Clubhouse
J. Cecil Jarvis Memorial Triathlon (iPO Event Id#: 11752)

[Details] [Coverage] [Photos] Results: [Overall Results] [Results by Class] [More Results] [2008]

Because Life Counts

Article and photos by J.R. Petsko

The motto says it all. On May 22, 2007, J. Cecil Jarvis, 58, died in a bicycle crash while on a training ride. I didn't know Mr. Jarvis, but I understand that he must have been a very special man by the actions of others after his death.

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In June 2007 while hosting my yearly mountain bike race I noticed that many of the competitors who participated had the word "CECIL" written on the backs of their legs in his memory. As a cyclist, I found this to be a very touching moment. To commemorate this wonderful man's life this triathlon was created in his name.

This year, more than 175 competitors showed up to take part in the challenging event which consisted of a 660 yard swim in Maple Lake, a 12-mile road bike ride, and a 3.1-mile run around the lake. As the racers lined up at the start they were welcomed by pleasant temperatures and partly cloudy skies which made for perfect racing weather.

At the start of the event, it was hard to follow who was in front because during the swim all that anyone can see is the person’s head about 50 yards away. When the racers exited the water, the first to hit the steps was 15 year old, Thomas Bailey. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania native completed the swim in 9 minutes and 30 seconds which was the fastest time of the day. Bailey was ahead of some big triathlon names early on.

Thomas Wood of Tallmansville, WV was second out of the water in 9 minutes and 45 seconds and was followed Beau Krpicak in third.

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As the men headed out on the bike leg, triathlon powerhouses like Vinnie Monseau and Derek Clark used their superior bike skills to move up the overall leader board to first and second overall. 2008 West Virginia Road Race Series (WVRRS) masters champion Kyle McCammon was also able to put in the third best bike leg time (32 minutes and 15 seconds) to help him move up in the field.

As the riders transitioned to the run it was just 3.1 miles to go to the finish. Vinnie Monseau was determined to repeat as race winner and completed the 5k in 18 minutes and 22 seconds. Monseau had the fastest run time of the day which earned him the overall top spot, finishing with a sub-hour time of 59 minutes and 31 seconds. He beat all who followed including the teams.

Derek Clark, who trains with Monseau, kept it close to the very end, finishing second overall with a time of 1:01:45. Clark's run time of 18 minutes, 50 seconds helped him secure that.

Thomas Wood was consistent all day and crossed in third overall (1:02:35).

For the women, Hannah Vernon of Morgantown, West Virginia attacked the swim to pull away early. Her fast swim-leg time was 10 minutes 35 seconds.

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Shaina Kopelov was second out of the water in a time of 10:47. Amy Dunkin of St. Albans, WV was flying on the bike and finished with the best women's time of that leg to move her closer to the leaders. However, Vernon who is the daughter of perennial athletes Bob and Alice, used those good genes to stay stead for the entire race and finish as the first woman with a time of 1:15:09.

The race for second however was a tight one. Kelly Murphy and Kristin Garbinski were back and forth during the entire race. Murphy edged out Garbinski by 23 seconds at the finish. Murphy threw down the fastest women's run of the day to claim second.

The River City Runners Team took the overall men’s spot in 1:08:29, beating our Team Merinar by more than 2 minutes. Victory of West Virginia took home third.

The top co-ed team was YM&SP who finished in 1:12:05. Team Tri-Fecta closed in for second with a time of 1:14:07, and Strength, Balance and Yoga took third.