Campbell, Wood tops at XTERRA Eureka Springs Triathlon

Campbell, Wood tops at XTERRA Eureka Springs Triathlon: Carroll County News

EUREKA SPRINGS -- After a drenching downpour the day before, clear skies and sunshine were a welcome sight the morning of Saturday, June 13, at Lake Leatherwood City Park in Eureka Springs.
Four hundred racers, volunteers and spectators gathered there for the 4th annual XTERRA Eureka Springs Off-Road Triathlon and Trail Run.
The first of the day's two events, the Trail Run, kicked off at 8 a.m. Athletes ranging in age from 11 to 52 took to the 4.1-mile course.
Tony Stokes, of Sparta, Mo., captured the male title with a time of 34:06, while Cathy Carlson, of Rogers secured the women's crown with a time of 37:12.
The day's youngest athlete, 11-year-old Jeremiah Owens of Eureka Springs, finished the course in 42:36.
As the Trail Run wrapped up, 160 triathletes gathered at the swim beach for the start of the Off-Road Triathlon. At 10 a.m., the male competitors charged into the cool waters of Lake Leatherwood; the female and team competitors started five minutes later.
James Campbell, of Collinsville, Okla., was the first to complete the half-mile swim in 11:34, which was "an amazing time" according to XTERRA race director, Nick Cross.
Less than a minute later, Jocelyn Wood, of Broken Arrow, Okla., was the first female out of the water in 12:22.
The athletes then turned their attention to the grueling 13-mile mountain bike leg, considered by Cross to be the "meat" of this race course.
Slick and muddy conditions added yet another level of difficulty to this already challenging leg of the triathlon.
Spectators cheered for their friends and family in the central transition meadow as the racers completed the first lap of the bike course and headed around the lake for lap two.
As the frontrunners completed the second lap, at about 11 a.m., they arrived back in the central transition area.
The sound of bluegrass began to fill the meadow as Cletus Got Shot took the stage, giving the racers a much needed boost. One by one, the bikes arrived back at the meadow. Some had flat tires, some had broken parts and all were caked with mud.
With the bike leg completed, the racers focused on their final objective, the five-mile run. This final leg really tests the athletes, according to Cross.
"They're already very tired, and they now have to climb the mountain and then drop to the valley floor twice during the run."
Most persevered, however, and before long the leaders approached the finish line.
James Campbell, first out of the water in the opening swimming leg of the triathlon, was able to hold off his competitors during the bike and run legs. He took the Male Overall XTERRA Eureka Springs Triathlon title with a time of 2:29:46.
Likewise, Jocelyn Wood staved off the female competition after leading out of the water, taking the Female Overall title in 2:42:14.
After racers crossed the finish line they headed to the recovery tent for fluids, medical care, if needed, and a post-race massage from a representative of the New Moon Spa.
Cletus Got Shot continued to play while food from Geraldi's, Chelsea's Pizzeria, Lovin' Oven and the Pizza Bar was served to racers and volunteers.
At 2 p.m., prize packages were awarded to the top three male and female triathletes, teams and trail runners.
Cross summed up this year's event: "This has been our best event yet; we had a great turnout, the race operations went smoothly, and no one got hurt.
"Thanks to all our volunteers, sponsors, and supporters. Because of them, XTERRA Eureka Springs has developed a reputation as a first-class race that pulls out all the stops. We're already looking forward to next year!"