Posted: May 28, 2004

Duathlon: U.S. Duathletes Headed for the Geel World

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 27, 2004) - Several U.S. age group medalists will return to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Duathlon World Championships on Sunday and Monday in Geel, Belgium.

The United States is sending a team of approximately 120 age groupers, plus 12 elite duathletes, four under-23 duathletes and six junior duathletes to compete in Geel.

The returning medalists from 2003 are Pat Fossum (Montgomery, Ala.), who won silver in the women's 65-69 age group; Beth Burchill (Rochester, N.Y.), who won bronze in the women's 35-39 age group; Kristin Miller (West Lakeland, Minn.), who won bronze in the women's 40-44 age group and Sean Ion (Shippenville, Pa.), who took bronze in the men's 20-24 age group.

In the elite men's race, the United States will be represented by Tom Jeffrey (Richmond, Va.), Matt Cooke (Washington D.C.), Jay Cech (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Danny Fink (Swoope, Va.), Dave Messenheimer (Seattle, Wash.) and Sam Yount (Chicago, Ill.).

Belgium's own Benny Vansteelant, a three-time world duathlon champion, including 2003, is the elite men's favorite. Australia's Jonathan Hall, who won the silver medal in 2003, is also back on the start list.

None of the women's medalists from the 2003 world championships are on the start list, however Hungary's Erika Csomer and Great Britain's Ana Emmerson will be two to watch.

Representing the United States will be Kathy Kasischke (San Diego, Calif.), Anne Curi-Preisig (Falmouth, Mass.), Marjan Huizing (Montgomery Village, Md.), Gabriella Jenks (Albuquerque, N.M.), Amory Rowe (Middletown, R.I.) and Patrice Wolfensberger (Knoxville, Tenn.).

On Sunday, juniors will complete a 5K run (two laps), 20K bike (two laps) and 2.5K run (one lap). Under-23s and elites will complete a 10K run (four laps), 40K bike (four laps) and 5K run (two laps).

On Monday, age groupers will do a 10K run (two laps), 40K bike (three laps) and 5K run (one lap).

For complete start lists and more information, go to www.triathlon.org.