Posted: July 23, 2007

Triathlon: Blake, Murphy win Subaru Sooke International Half Iron

July, 22, 2007 (Sooke, BC) Ironman Canada Champion Jasper Blake, and Victoria’s Cheryl Murphy reigned victorious at the inaugural Subaru Sooke International Half Iron today. Sooke, a beautiful ocean side community just outside of Victoria, BC, was the second stop of the Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series. The Subaru Victoria International Half Iron, the first of the series, took place earlier this year at Shawnigan Lake. The Subaru Sooke International Half Iron got a great start with a Kids Fun Run on Saturday evening on small run course that ended at the finish gantry. Then at 7am this morning the mighty howitzer cannon signalled the swim start at Young Lake. Blake quickly took the lead on the swim and never looked back claiming an easy victory on the challenging course. In second place was James Muter of Richmond, BC, and rounding out the podium was Steven Marshall of West Vancouver. The women’s race was hotly contested with 4 strong contenders battling it out. Louisa Edmonston, of Scotland, led out of the water but was shortly passed by Ironman athletes Charlene Waldner and recently crowned National Long Distance Champion Lucy Smith. Cheryl Murphy, riding strong, cycled past Smith and Edmonston to come off the bike with Waldner. Murphy used her national running experience to move in to the lead as she headed out on to the stunning Whiffin Spit and continuously lengthened her lead achieving one of the top run splits of the day, male or female. Waldner ran strong for second with Edmonston passing pre-race favourite Smith for 3rd who was feeling the effects of the National Championships race just 2 weeks ago. “This race was super-challenging with the rolling terrain and unbelievably beautiful – I worked hard but enjoyed every minute of it, this is another step in my preparation for Hawaii” said Blake. The Sprint event was won by Canadian Junior National Champions Kerry Spearing and Andrew McCartney. McCartney took the win after first place finisher and National Development Team member, AP Baillargeon-Smith was disqualified for crossing the centre line on the bike. The overall fastest team was comprised of former Under 23 Team Member Janet Nielsen, Local Age Group Triathlete Derek Hopkins, and national class runner Nik Southwell. The next race on the Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series will be held in Vancouver on September 16th. The newly established Series organized by LifeSport, a coaching and training company founded by Ironman and Olympic coaches Lance Watson and Paul Regensburg is fast becoming known as a world-class triathlon series held in beautiful venues. For more results visit LifeSport.ca. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest