Cheers from athletes could be heard around Prarie CreekReservior on Saturday morning as the fog cleared. It was thenofficials of the 25th annual Muncie Endurathon announced a 1.2 mileswim would take place.
Fog delayed the start of the triathlon for 90 minutes becausepoor visability during the swim portion of the race posed a safetyproblem for athletes.
After the athletes completed the 1.2 mile swim, they were facedwith a 56 mile bike and a 13 mile run. The course started in thereservior, then the athletes mounted onto their bikes for agrueling ride on the Cardinal Greenway, U.S. Highways 35 and 36.For the final leg of the race cyclists dismounted and took off onfoot up the Cardinal Greenway into McCollough Park and finished thelast mile on Walnut Street through downtown.
Kerry Classen of Bend, Ore., triumphed for the men and LaurenJensen of New Berlin, Wis. won the women's race. The victories gaveClassen and Jensen national titles and $5000 because this yearsrace was the 2004 USA Triathlon Elite/Pro Long Distance NationalChampionship. Classen finished in 3:50.56, while Jensen crossed thefinish line in 4:21.57.
Participants came from all over the country to take part in theEndurathon because of its national designation and it was also aqualifying race for Ironman Hawaii. The distances of the endurathonmake it a half-ironman competition.
Racers recieved hydration every mile throughout the runningportion of the race as temperatures neared 80 degrees under theafternoon sun. At the 12 mile mark volunteers handed out Gatorade,water and cold towels, while encouraging the runners by tellingthem they only had one mile remaining.
At the finish line crowds cheered as each athlete came downWalnut Street, after crossing the finish line athletes emotions ranhigh with some crying and others standing with large smiles.
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