ALASKA

Alaska State Championship
Knik

August 5, 2012

Swim 1.5K, Bike 40K, Run 10K
Field Size: 120
Age: 8 years

"Deceptively difficult", the website says. With typical water temperature around 65° and a sled dog trail run course that goes out "down" and returns "up"--no kidding. No wonder Alaska's triathletes are so tough. Team Alaska has always done well at Best of the U.S. Championships. But 2010 takes the cake: Jens Beck became the first-ever Master to be National Champion. Teammate Shannon Donley (right) was 2nd overall. Together the team also took home awards for Fastest Coed Team (Beck/Donley), Fastest Men's Team (Beck and Andy Duenow) and 2nd Fastest Women's Team (Donley and Larrell Lockard). Carolyn Barry was on her way to a top ten performance, as well, until she heartbreakingly was forced to drop, with bike mechanical problems.
     That should put an end to the ubiquitous question "They have triathlon in Alaska???"