Posted: June 19, 2006

Triathlon: Danforth and Evans win Long Distance National Championship

The 2006 Long Distance Triathlon National Championships was full of big name participants, however, it was a relative unknown by the name of Heather Danforth who stole the spotlight and won the Women’s Long Distance National Championship.

Danforth, a 26-year-old living in Victoria, was participating is her fourth ever Triathlon event and her second half-Ironman race. With this win Danforth beat a Canadian legend – Lori Bowden - on the way to her first National Championship.

Bowden, who last raced in 2004 due to the birth of her son Tyson, finished second in a time of 4:36:58 just over a minute behind Danforth. Bowden, who won this race in 1997, ranks third all-time in Ironman victories with 12 behind Paula Newby-Fraser (24) and Canadian Heather Fuhr (14). Bowden is preparing for Ironman Austria on July 16th – her first Ironman since Ironman Hawaii in 2004.

Two years ago, Danforth was 28th in the overall Women’s race with a time of 5:20:00, this year she was more than 44 minutes better, crossing the finish line in 4:35:52, an incredible improvement in a 24 month span. Danforth, who has put her PHD on hold to continue her triathlon career, says getting a sponsor is the key to her future. “The one big issue is money – financially it’s going to be tough. I hope to put up some good results in the coming months and see where I can take this.”

The conditions in Victoria were perfect for this 2km swim, 93km bike and 20km run with an outside temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, light winds and slightly overcast skies.

Danforth is racing again next week in her first ever Ironman event in Idaho and says recovery for this grueling race shouldn’t be a factor. “I put a lot of emphasis on this race today - this was a huge milestone for me. With some good massage sessions I’ll be fine next weekend. I’m really looking forward to my first Ironman. My ultimate goal is Hawaii Ironman.”

Danforth was impressive in all 3 disciplines – she finished the swim in 29:56, had a bike time of 2:37:41 (the best in the field by more than eight minutes) and closed with a solid run of 1:25:06. “Cycling is my strong suit; I was really hot on the bike. My fiancé, Trevor Wortele, who finished 8th overall in the Men’s Elite race, has helped me so much with the bike.”

Last year’s National Champion, and current National team member, Charlene Waldner, finished in third place in 4:45:30.

On the Men’s side, Tom Evans, from Victoria won the Men’s overall championship with a time of 4:02:03 – this mark sets the new course record previously held by 2005 champion Scott Curry who finished second in today’s race. Curry, from Calgary, was 5 and half minutes back in a time of 4:07:33. 4-time Long Distance National Champion, Mike Flegel, from Courtenay, BC, was third in a time of 4:10:02.

Evans went wire-to-wire in this relatively easy win. Evans had a substantial lead coming out of the water in 23:31, from there Evans increased the lead with a bike time of 2:20:33 and then Evans cruised home with a run time of 1:16:02 for his second Long Distance National Championship – Evans won previously in 2003.

Asked to compare the 2 wins and Evans said it was much easier this time around. “Today I was so solid. I was steady for all 3 disciplines, it was a nice even performance, there we no weak spots.”

Evans said his legs are finally back and this was his best performance in some time. “I knew if I had a solid run that no one would catch me.” Evans will train hard in the next month but will not compete again until the July 23rd Ironman Lake Placid race. “I am gearing up for a big summer and hope to use this win as a springboard toward the rest of the summer.”

Triathlon Canada is the National Federation for the Sport of Triathlon and Duathlon in Canada.

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