UrbanUltra Women

AT 41 yrs of age (there is hope for all of us then!!) Shonny Vanlandingham wins the XTERRA Mountain Champs for third straight year. Sara Tarkington best finish ever in 2nd, Jenny Smith in 3rd, Emma Garrard 4th, and Suzie Snyder 5th in her first championship race as a pro.

For anyone wondering, the XTERRA series incorporates off-road into a regular triathlon. A mucky tri if you like. Could be a river or lake swim, mountain bike over rough and treacherous terrain and a cross country run.

Vanlandingham, who proudly put the number “41” on her calf to indicate her 41-years of age, emerged from the 68-degree waters of Lake Nottingham more than two minutes back of swim leader Suzie Snyder, then crushed the field on the bike.

Vanlandingham, who won 2010 XTERRA national events in Lake Las Vegas, Nevada and Pelham, Alabama, then posted a race-best 1:22:51 bike split which was 5:27 better than the next best bike posted by third overall finisher Jenny Smith of Gunnison, Colorado.

“I love high mountain riding,” said Vanlandingham to XTERRA media after her tour de force riding between 7,500 and 9,500 feet altitude. “I’ve spent the last 12 years in Durango, and the last four weeks riding up in the mountains so I just felt really good.”

Sara Tarkington, who holds a full time job as a social worker in Boulder, ran hard to nail down 2nd place, her best-ever XTERRA national finish, 7:36 behind Vanlandingham’s 2:31:58 winning time.

Tarkington’s 2:42:33 finish held off Emma Garrard by 2:59 for 3rd place, with Snyder taking 5th, 30 seconds back of Garrard.
XTERRA Mountain Championship
Beaver Creek Resort – Avon, Colorado
July 17, 2010
S 1 mi./ MTB 15.5 mi./ R 6.2 mi.

Women’s Results
1. Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) 2:31:58
2. Sara Tarkington (USA) 2:39:34
3. Jenny Smith (USA) 2:42:33
4. Emma Garrard (USA) 2:45:32
5. Suzie Snyder (USA) 2:46:02
6. Tracy Thelen (USA) 2:53:00
7. Rebecca Rae (NZL) 2:54:20
8. Katie Ellis (USA) 2:55:35
9. Ingrid Rolles (USA) 3:02:16
10. Brandyn Roark Gray (USA) 3:11:33

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