Symonds retains Bare Bones crown

Defending champ Jeff Symonds wasn’t about to let a little rain and wind get in the way of another victory during the Barley Mill Pub Bare Bones duathlon.

Symonds of Penticton retained his crown as he completed the five-kilometre run, 32-km bike and five-km run in 1:21:20 on Sunday.

“It was pretty good to win,” said Symonds, who has competed in the event four times.

The race started with a fast 5 km run, led by former Canadian Olympic runner Graham Hood and Jeff Symonds, followed closely by Scott Tremblay, Olly Piggin and Dallas Cain. During the bike section, Symonds admitted that the weather changed his approach.

“I had to be pretty careful on the bike,” he said. “Play it safe.

Following Symonds was Tremblay of Kaleden in 1:24:19 and Graham Hood in 1:25:53. Elmore became the new B.C. duathlon champion in 1:43:02 followed by Annett in 1:43:39 and Hamilton in 1:44:24. Among the women, Kelowna’s Jeanette Elmore led at the start of the bike, while Penticton’s Jen Annett and West Kelowna’s Joana Hamilton gave chase.  Athletes battled a headwind to Okanagan Falls and some rough road conditions before returning to Penticton for the second run.  Weather changed to add rain to the race during the second run. Many local athletes had great races, some winning their age group.

Dave Matheson (Penticton) 1:29:04; 4^th overall, 1^st M40-44

Olly Piggin (Penticton) 1:30:50; 5^th overall, 3^rd M35-39

Scott McMillan (Penticton) 1:31:50; 8^th overall; 4^th M35-39

Mark Rutter (Penticton) 1:40:30; 20^th overall

Jason Reynen (Penticton) 1:41:48; 2^nd M25-29

Neil Pearson (Penticton) 1:44:16; 3^rd M50-54

Jenny Ayers (Penticton) 1:45:35; 1^st W45-49

Jack Wessel (Oliver) 1:46:58; 1^st M60-64

Michael Kascak (Penticton) 1:48:21;

David Nash (Penticton) 1:52:05

Michele Coates (Penticton) 1:53:01; 1^st W40-44

Gary Hoffman (Osoyoos) 1:54:40; 1^st M65-69

Lee  Blaine (Osoyoos) 2:02:27

Edwin Dukes (Oliver) 2:04:01, 2^nd M65-69

Karl Martin (Naramata) 2:09:52, 3^rd M65-69

Laura Walton (Penticton) 2:13:24

Evelyn Reichert (Penticton) 2:13:24

Brian Pinch (Penticton) 2:17:48

Quinten VanHorlick (Penticton) 2:20:53

For full results, check the website www.pentictontriathlonclub.com.