KEY BISCAYNE ATHLETES TAKE 3 WINS, 3 SECONDS & A PAIR OF 3RDS ON “HOME TURF”

5/16/2005 - By T.J. Cesarz

600+ triathletes converged on Key Biscayne for the first major sprint race of the season. The first ever MultiRace event at Crandon Park consisted of a ¼ mile swim in Biscayne Bay, a 12.4 mile bike over the Rickenbacker Causeway and back, and a 3.1 mile, single loop run through Crandon Park. The weather was conducive to fast times, and there were a number of “scorching” performances in many divisions. Here’s a look at how that things went for the top finishers!

MALE OVERALL
He’s quickly establishing himself as one of South Florida’s best at the spring distance thanks to his ability as a runner, and Fernando Marrero, (Hollywood), certainly proved it once again on Sunday. He made it 2-for-2 at MultiRace events on consecutive weekend’s taking the overall win in the blazing time of 1:02:03. His 17:48 5K proved to be the difference, as he was able to make up time lost to 2nd place finisher Clay Wilson, (Coral Gables), on the bike, and win by a margin of :32 seconds. Wilson was 2nd in 1:02:35, while Reinaldo Oliviera, (Ft. Lauderdale), took the bronze in 1:03:13. As you remember, Marrero took top honors at the Mother’s Day Duathlon last weekend at Tradewinds Park. Congrats to Fernando – we will certainly be following his performances throughout the season!

FEMALE OVERALL
Firefighter Angela Hygema, (Key Biscayne), also demonstrated why she is one of the best in the business, via yet another sprint win. Her time of 1:08:00 was good for, - get this! – 10th overall, and included the top bike & run splits in the division. Inside Triathlon National team member Michelle Schraer, (Ft. Lauderdale), was 2nd in 1:09:50, while top age grouper Monica Ross-Montero, (Miami), was 3rd in 1:12:45.

MALE MASTERS OVERALL
How about this…The top three Masters finished in consecutive overall slots – 5th, 6th & 7th! The trip was led by Miami’s Richard Noritake, who cruised to the win in 1:03:37. Top swimmer Carlos Dolabella, (Key Biscayne), was 2nd in 1:05:08, and fellow ‘Biscayner Marcello Correa was 3rd in 1:06:00. Congratulations to a mighty talented group of 40+ studs who proved they can race with the young pups, any time, any place!

FEMALE MASTERS OVERALL
She was once a national caliber road racer, - a pair of Olympic marathon trials are just a few of her credits, - and she has certainly made the transition to multisport with ease! Boca Raton’s Nancy Frey took the win in 1:13:52, a time that included a top run split of 21:02. Mandy Miller, (Ft. Lauderdale), a top racer in her own right was 2nd in 1:15:31, and the always tough Lauren Fuchs, (Coral Springs), took the bronze in 1:19:00.

MALE 1ST TIMERS, 39 & UNDER
34-year old Ross Tigner, (Ft. Lauderdale), enjoyed a great debut, taking the win by :38 seconds over 2nd place Chris Onufer, 1:14:40 – 1:15:18. Boca Raton’s Daniel McCarthy was 3rd in 1:15:54.

MALE 1ST TIMERS, 40 & OVER
Aventura’s David Contreras took home the gold thanks to his winning time of 1:38:14. Tom Kretschmer, (Pompano Beach), was 2nd in 1:39:38, and Orlando Machado, (Miami), earned the bronze with the time of 1:42:40.

FEMALE 1ST TIMERS
25-year old Natalia Arana, (Miami), also had an impressive debut, taking the ladies first timers title in 1:19:52. Alessandra Castanho, (Coral Gables), was 2nd in 1:21:03, while Miami’s Liza Vita took home the bronze with a time of 1:24:23 in her inaugural race.

MALE FAT TIRE, 39 & UNDER
Miami’s Alex Paz took the win in 1:23:47; Tampa’s Roger Rizo was 2nd in 1:30:47

MALE FAT TIRE, 40 & OVER
It was the “most experienced” racer in the division taking home top honors! 54-year old Guy Strafer, (Coral Gables), dominated, taking the top splits in the swim & bike on his way to a 14+ minute victory in 1:23:23. Chip Osborn was 2nd in 1:38:04, and Lloyd Libertucci, (Pompano Beach), was 3rd in 1:42:44.

FEMALE FAT TIRE
Once again, the “most experienced” racer in her division took home the gold! 38-year old Daniela Cellini, (Miami Beach), was equally as dominant in the fat tire division, posting a time of 1:26:38 to beat the field by almost 14 minutes! Plantation’s Amy Harrison was 2nd in 1:40:11, while Aimee Amodie, (Pompano Beach), was 3rd in 1:15:55.

CLYDESDALE, 185-199, 39 & UNDER
Matt Johnson posted the top Clyde time of the day, finishing 34th overall in 1:13-flat! Steve Elizarde, (Hialeah), was 2nd in 1:17:26, while Pembroke Pines’ Bryn Wells captured the bronze with a time of 1:23:10.

CLYDESDALE, 185-199, 40 & OVER
Stewart Smythe, (Delray Beach), also posted a top 100 time, finishing 57th overall in 1:16:01 to take the divisional title. Good friend Brad Eggebraaten, (Lake Worth), earned the silver with a time of 1:22:51.

CLYDESDALE, 200+, 39 & UNDER
Lauderhill’s Matt Vangalis was solid across the board, - 2nd best swim, 3rd best bike & run – allowing him to take the win in the “younguns’” 200+ Clyde division. His time of 1:16:57 was 2+ minutes better than Dan Radecki, (Waterford, OH), who was 2nd in 1:19:07. Just :7 seconds behind was Miami’s James Mikolic, who finished 3rd in 1:19:14.

CLYDESDALE, 200+, 40 & OVER
Joe Herring had his way in a very competitive field. The 42-year old from Coral Gables put 9+ minutes between himself & the rest of the pack, taking the win in 1:16:31. Toney Miranda, (Miami), was 2nd in 1:25:27, and Rick Lonergan, (Pembroke Pines), was 3rd in 1:27:03.

ATHENA
Wellington’s Robin Dutoit was the winner here, posting a time of 1:39:32. Miami’s Magui Martinez-Pena was 2nd in 1:42:05.

FEMALE 10-14
Taylor Jantz, (WPB), took the top splits in all 3 disciplines, - 8:16, 45:21, 27:52 – in taking the win with the time of 1:24:33. Fellow 14-year old Caroline Young, (Lighthouse Point), was 2nd in 1:27:40, and 11-year old Daniela Mercenari, (Key Biscayne), took the bronze in 1:47:07.

MALE 10-14
My good buddy Justin Soden, (Hollywood), earned another division win, taking the title in Key Biscayne in 1:37:15. Not bad for a 10-year old! Kirk DeSouza, (Royal Palm Beach), was a solid 2nd in 1:39:01.

FEMALE 15-19
Miami’s Vanessa Viadero took an 8+ minute win over the rest of field, taking the gold in 1:22:54. Rebecca Shanker was 2nd in 1:31:42, while Doral’s Maria Goren took 3rd in 1:33:55.

FEMALE 20-24
It was another win for a Key Biscayner! Alejandra Cordovez was 7+ minutes better than the field thanks to her taking all 3 disciplines and coasting to a time of 1:18:42. Elizabeth Meyer, (Boca Raton), was 2nd in 1:25:55 and Davie’s Lisa Greene took 3rd in 1:28:40.

MALE 20-24
Phil Urbanetz, (Ft. Lauderdale), swam, biked & ran to the divisional title, and an 11th overall finish with a time of 1:08:14. Aventura’s Rolando Mantilla was 2nd in 1:11:59, while Chris Pruett, (Coconut Grove), took the bronze in 1:34:28.

FEMALE 25-29
Stuart’s Adrienne Farineau took top honors in the 25-29’s with an impressive time of 1:14:15. 2nd place finisher Jennifer Carillo, (Miami), also broke the 1:20 barrier, posting a 1:19:43. Miramar’s Julia Fermayer was 3rd in 1:20:19.

MALE 25-29
CTommaso Maestroni, (Miami), was the winner here, taking top honors in 1:11:35. Ft. Lauderdale’s German Barco was 2nd in 1:12:41 and Key Biscayne’s Ricardo Avila was 3rd in 1:17:27.

FEMALE 30-34
Cori Beaubein, (Coral Gables), took all 3 splits, including a clutch 22:39 5K that allowed her to keep a 5+ minute gap between her & 2nd place finisher Kris Angerthal, (Weston). Beaubein won in 1:15:26, while Angerthal was 2nd in 1:21:25. Doral’s Michell-Renee Henry was 3rd in 1:24:38.

MALE 30-34
Jose’ Bolivar’s time of 1:08:36 was good enough for 13th overall and the win in the 30-34’s. Arturo Diaz was 2nd in 1:10:59, while Patrick Robinson took the final podium spot with a time of 1:14:50.

FEMALE 35-39
Coral Spring’s Diane Calloway was the winner here, posting an outstanding 1:14:46. Nicole Smith, (Coconut Creek), was 2nd in 1:16:59 and Mimi Reeves, (Coral Springs), was 3rd in 1:22:46.

MALE 35-39
The top 3 here all finished in the top 15 overall! The trio was led by Mark Hasner, (Coral Gables), who took the win in 1:06:59 (8th overall), Jean-Marc Fontaine, (Greenacres), was 2nd in 1:08:28 (12th overall), and Miami’s Hector Escobedo was 3rd in 1:09:10 (15th overall).

FEMALE 40-44
Another local girl, another divisional win! Key Biscayne’s Priscilla Tudela was :24 seconds better than Robin Green, (Davie), taking the win 1:19:26 – 1:19:50. Sharon Cohen, (Plantation), took the bronze with the time of 1:31:18.

MALE 40-44
Top Florida age grouper Marcelo Holcberg ran to the win, posting a 22:45, allowing him to put enough cushion between him and 2nd place finisher Michael Mursten, (Coral Springs). Holcberg, (WPB), had a time of 1:12:31, just ahead of Mursten’s 1:12:57. It was great to see my good buddy Tim Milian, (Weston), an ex-Western Carolina middle infielder, take the bronze in 1:14:04!

FEMALE 45-49
Claire Paris, (Miami), was your winner here, posting a time of 1:23:48. Laura Bender, (Coconut Creek), was 2nd in 1:26:00.

MALE 45-49
Paul Corban, (Ft. Lauderdale), was almost 3 minutes better than the rest of the competition, taking the win here in 1:08:38. Key Biscayne’s James Salas was 2nd in 1:11:19, while Jeff Bruff, (Miami), earned the bronze in 1:11:30.

FEMALE 50-54
Susan Colleran takes the top swim and run splits and the win in 1:47:15, while Althea Warrell takes 2nd in 2:03:45 along with the top bike split.

MALE 50-54
Good friend Bob Whitmore, (N. Palm Beach), continued his outstanding early season, taking not only another win, but a top 10 finish…At the age of 50! Whitmore dominated, winning by 3:30, with the time of 1:07:17. George Manekas, (Hallandale), was 2nd in 1:10:47, while Mark Homewood took 3rd in 1:16:23. NICELY DONE, MR WHITMORE! Keep up your winning ways!

FEMALE 55-59
Top south Florida age grouper Buzzy Darden, (Coconut Grove), took another win, cruising to a time of 1:43:42. Miami’s Maria Gavilanez was 2nd in 2:01:46.

MALE 55-59
Miami’s Rolando Lahera was your winner here, recording a time of 1:20:59. Norm Seavers, (Weston), was a solid 2nd in 1:25:21.

MALE 60-64
Tim Regier, (Miami), raced uncontested to the win in 1:28:12.

MALE 65-69
In another uncontested division, Robert Clerk, (Deerfield Beach), took home the gold with a winning time of 1:29:56.

MALE 75-79
The legenday Adalberto Martinez is still at it, and he’s doing it well! The 75-year old from Miami recorded another age group win, finishing in 1:45:18. CONGRATULATIONS to a great athlete & a great guy!