Clear Lake hosts triathlon

The first TRI Clear Lake sprint triathlon took place in Clear Lake on Saturday, June 10.  The windy weather didn’t deter the participants who completed a 750 meter swim, a 12.4 mile bike course and finished with a 3.1 mile run. In the foreground is Clear Lake lifeguard McKenna Backhaus who was helping swimmers when they struggled in the choppy water.   -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

Des Moines man wins first TRI Clear Lake

The first TRI Clear Lake sprint triathlon took place in Clear Lake on Saturday, June 10. The event was sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

The scenic course started at State Park Beach with a 750 meter swim before a 12.4 mile bike course guided athletes out and back along South Shore Drive through the prairie and windmills south of Clear Lake. The race was capped off with a 3.1 mile run on South Shore drive heading north to the lakeside finish in City Park downtown Clear Lake.

The overall winner of the event was Eric Greenley, of Des Moines.  Greenley, 27, finished the race in 1:07.40.  He completed the swim portion of the race in 13:22, the cycling in 33:30 and the run in 19:32.

Esmie Holderman, 33, of Des Moines, Iowa, was the overall female winner.  She Finished the race in 1:15.01.  She completed the swim portion in 12:02, the cycling in 39:15 and the run in 22:18.

Other top competitors included:

*Derek Nordeen, 46, of La Crosse, Wis., second place, 1:10.11

*Matt Ostbloom, 25, Iowa Falls, Iowa, third place, 1:10.49

*Mark Seehase, 41, Sumner, Iowa, fourth place, 1:11.29

*Brian Hanft, 45, Nora Springs, Iowa, fifth place, 1:12.59

*Andy Blake, 30, Des Moines, Iowa, sixth place, 1:13.26

*Cory Lien, 24, Cedar Falls, Iowa, seventh place, 1:14.22

*Vince Volkey, 52, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., eighth place 1:14.55.