Posted: July 15, 2007

Triathlon: Canadians Grab Two Medals at Pan Am Games Triathlon

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brent McMahon of Victoria and Lauren Groves of Vancouver finished second and third, respectively, today in the 2007 Pan American Games triathlon competition. The two medals continue the Canadian streak of a medal at every Pan American Games triathlon since the events inclusion in 1995. The event also doubled as the International Triathlon Union’s Pan American Continental Championships. While McMahon would have to fight to hang on to his podium position after a mid-race break away, Groves would run back from a two and half minute deficit to take the bronze. 2007 Pan American Games Triathlon – Elite Men Results 2007 Pan American Games Triathlon – Elite Women Results 1. POTTS, Andy (USA) 1:52:31   2. MCMAHON, Brent (CAN) – Victoria, BC 1:52:38 +:07 3. MOREIRA, Juraci (BRA) 1:52:54 +:23 4. JONES, Kyle (CAN) – Oakville, ON 1:53:06 +:33 11. TICHELAAR, Paul (CAN) – Edmonton, AB 1:54:03 +1:31 1. ERTEL [SWAIL], Julie (USA) 2. HASKINS, Sarah (USA) 3. GROVES, Lauren (CAN) – Vancouver, BC 4. TREMBLAY, Kathy (CAN) – Montreal, QC Official race times were not available at time of publication. Complete results. In 33 degree Celsius heat and humidity, 67 of the best triathletes from North and South America lined up on the famous Copacabana Beach for the start of the fourth edition of the triathlon competition. In the men’s event, American strongman Andy Potts would take the win in a time of 1 hour 52 minutes and 31 seconds, 7 seconds faster then silver medalist McMahon. To the cheers of thousands of locals lining the course, Brazilian Juraci Moreira finished in third, a further 16 seconds back. Despite a break away in the late stages of the 40-kilometre bike by McMahon, fellow Canadian Paul Tichelaar of Edmonton and two others, Potts would run through the heat, posting the fastest run of the day, edging out McMahon at the line. In the women’s event, American national champion Julie Ertel, formally Swail, would claim the gold medal after a successful break away with team mate and eventual silver medalist Sarah Haskins. The two Americans would get away early in the bike with a third American, Sara McLarty, growing their lead to over two and a half minutes at one point. McLarty could not hang on over the 10-kilometre run, however, as she was run down by the fast approaching Groves. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest