21st Annual Rudyard Lions Summerfest Triathlon and 5K Run are in

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July 31, 2017

RUDYARD - The 21st Annual Rudyard Lions Summerfest Triathlon and 5K Run was held on Sunday, July 30 in Rudyard, under near perfect conditions with blue skies and only a slight breeze; a perfect day for participants competing in the 5K run, triathlon and team triathlon events.  A new twist to this year’s 5K race was the participation of Al and Christine Witkowski who are attempting to compete in 5K races in every state this year.  The Rudyard event was their Michigan race and they are off to Wisconsin next. 

 

Overall male winner for the 5K run was Hunter Aldridge (19.08) of Brentwood, Calif., and the top female was Erin Cornwell (23.51) from Rudyard.  First overall in the unique reverse triathlon format (Run 5K, Bike 24.3K and swim ½ K) male division was Stephen Eles from Houghton (1:09.28) and in the female division the overall winner was Cindy Duby of Traverse City (1:23.06).

 

In the age group categories for the triathlon: in the female division 19 & under age group Autumn Eles (1:31.18, Houghton) was first, with second going to Alaina Eles (1:40.15, Houghton).  In the female 20-29 age group first was Alisha Thompson (1:43.35, Grand Rapids) while in the same age group for males Kyle Loup (1:20.21, Brimley) was first.  For the 30-39 male age group, first was A. J. Pirilo (1:20.22, Sault, ON) while second was Marc Striukas (1:27.39, Sault, ON).  Female 30-39 grouping found Laura Bjorklund first (1:45.30, Sault, ON).

 

In the male 40-49 age category first was Hans Kabat (1:24.28, Bangkok, Thailand).  The top female in the 40-49 age division was Rachel McCoy (1:25.30, Sault, Mich.).    Finishing first in the male 50-59 age group was Timothy Rogers (1:44.17, Sault, MI).  First in the 50-59 female class was Nancy Krusic (1:40.29, Manistique) second went to Christine Olesak (1:44.43, Gladstone) and third was Donna Winkel (1:50.27, Manistique).  In the 60- 69 group the first place male was Phil Dansdill (1:46.14, Sault, Mich.) while in the female 60-69 grouping saw Marg Meinke (1:46.48, Sault, ON) first.   In the 80 and over year age group Gary Lee (2:14.42, Traverse City) was the top male.   

 

The Lions Challenge team event was won by the “Bruise Brothers” (1:16.47, St. Ignace) with second place going to “Triple Sec.” (1:17.31, St. Ignace) and third went to the “Rudyard Lions - NTG" team (1:26.05, Rudyard).  The winner of the Lions Challenge receives a $250 prize that is made towards the charity of their choice. 

 

The 5K run fielded several good races; in the male 11 & under, Cody Aldridge (20.09, Brentwood, Calif.) was first followed by Chase Aldridge (24.36, Brentwood, Calif.).  Finishing first in the 20-29 male age group first was Kody Stieve (26.38, Sault, Mich.) and second to Joshua Barens (29.43, Diamondale, Az).   The female 20-29 grouping first went to Anna Slack (29.15, Harbor Springs) and in second place was Carly Baker (29.49, Lansing).

 

The 30-39 year old female was found Charlotte Folkersma finishing at (24.33, Sault, Mich).   In the same age group for males Michael Pirillo finished first (21.33, Sault, ON).  The male 40-49 was won by Rob Bjorklund (25.49, Sault, ON) with Sean Nicklas coming in second (26.56, Kinross) while in the female grouping of 40-49 Christine Witkowski (26.30, Glastonbury, Conn.) finished first.

 

Al Witkowski (25.13, Glastonbury, Conn.) took first in the 50-59 male age group.  The 60-69 male age group saw Alan Jarvie (23.17, Fibre) first with second place to David Borck (38.36, Grand Rapids).  In the 60 & over female race first went to Linda Borck (26.26, Grand Rapids) and second was Laurie Herman (28.17, Cincinnati, Oh.).   The male 70 & over category was won by John Johnson (31.18, Indian River) while in the female 70 & over Dorothy Johnson (41.56, Indian River) won first.

 

Complete detailed results for all competitors are available on the Rudyard Lions Triathlon site (www.rudyardlionstriathlon.com) or the Upper Peninsula Road Runners Club website (uprrc.com).  Next year's race is scheduled for Sunday, July 29, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.