Local athletes gave half of 110 per cent last weekend, posting strong results in the 2003 New Balance Half Iron. More than 650 athletes took part, racing solo or as part of a team of three.
Held in Victoria, the event includes a 2 km swim, a 91.8 km bike and a 20 km run – half of a regulation Ironman.
The top time, four hours, 14 minutes and four seconds went to Mike Flegel of Courtenay. Don King of Sidney was second in 4:14:40, followed by Murray McCutcheon of Vancouver in 4:16:13.
In the women’s race, Gillian Bakker of Winfield, B.C. led the way with a total time of 4:36:20. Lucy Smith of Victoria was second in 4:46:10, and Charlene Waldner of Victoria finished third in 4:48:42.
From Whistler, Ian Goard finished 41 st overall, and 11 th out of 71 racers in the men’s 30 to 34 race with a time of 4:46:44.
Paul Suter finished just two spots back, as well as fourth out of 64 in the men’s 40 to 44 group. He completed the race in 4:47:56.
David Higgins was 84 th overall and 24 th in the men’s 30 to 34 race with a time of 5:02:10. He was followed two seconds later by Paul Nicholas, who was 18 th in the men’s 35 to 39 group.
Brandi Higgins finished in 6:20:07, and was 32 nd in the women’s 30 to 34 race.
Mae Palm, racing alone in the women’s 60 to 64 group, posted a time of 6:23:44.
