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October 6, 2007 - Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, FL - A year ago, Philippe Kozub emerged from the abyss of apparently career-ending injuries, taking the Best of the U.S. race by storm and finishing second. The 32-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland vowed on the spot to come back in 2007, with the intention of winning. Today he made good––on a wheel borrowed from a citizen racer, no less.
The lead group of men came out of the water fast and furious, led by 40-year-old former pro from Arizona, Cam Hill. But by the first loop of the bike Kozub had taken control, and he held it til the finish. Victory was no guarantee, however, as Ohio’s Scott Myers turned in what Kozub called “the performance of the day”, steadily making up ground. By about a mile into the first 5K loop, Myers had closed the gap to about a minute, ran the second 5K faster than the first and ended 52 seconds back. “I wasn’t sure I could hold on,” said Kozub. “I went out too hard, I didn’t pace myself well, and I wasn’t sure I could hold on.” An elated Scott Myers, meanwhile, is on his way to Kona, having qualified just a few weeks ago at Ironman Louisville, with his wife and BOUS teammate Andrea, who likewise qualified at Louisville and placed 10th today. Team Ohio took home 4th Fastest State Team trophies.
Wisconsin’s Mark Harms was third and – together with teammate Cynthia Bannink who was fourth for women, took home the Fastest State Team honors, making BOUS history in the process. In prior years, the top teams have been separated by just 1 to 2 seconds; Team Wisconsin’s margin was 1:56 over 2nd place Team Arizona. Team Virginia followed in third place, with Team Ohio 4th and Team Minnesota taking 5th.
The women’s race takes the honors for high drama, though, with just 10 seconds separating the top three. Phoenix' 22-year-old Katie Ellis was favored going into the race, but it was no gimme, as she had to run down several women, including then-leader Cathy Yndestad of Minnesota, for the victory. Meanwhile, Massachusetts' Kim Webster, well back starting the final leg, ran a blistering 35:39 to climb into second. Ellis' final time was 2:09:23; Webster came in at 2:09:31; Yndestad at 2:09:33.
Photo galleries: www.bluecreekphotography.com.
Best of US.
View live streaming reports: Best of US Live.
Partial results:
WOMEN
1. Katie Ellis, Arizona 2:09:23
2. Kim Webster, Massachusetts 2:09:31
3. Cathy Yndestad, Minnesota 2:09:33
4. Cindi Bannink, Wisconsin 2:12:00
5. Amanda Pagon, Virginia 2:13:07
6. Heather Leiggi, Pennsylvania 2:15:07
7. Jennifer Harrison, Illinois 2:15:40
8. Lori Deschamps, Alaska 2:15:52
9. Stacey Richardson, North Carolina 2:16:17
10. Andrea Myers, Ohio 2:16:34
MEN
1. Philippe Kozub, Maryland 1:56:54
2. Scott Myers, Ohio 1:57:46
3. Mark Harms, Wisconsin 1:59:33
4. Rob Webster, Jr., Washington 1:59:41
5. Craig Greenslit, Colorado 2:00:04
6. Kelly Williamson, Virginia 2:01:01
7. Eddie Branigan, Florida 2:01:39
8. Clay Moseley, New Mexico 2:02:29
9. Jonathan Krichev, Alabama 2:02:34
10. Patrick Baldwin, California 2:02:52
TOP 5 TEAMS
1. Team Wisconsin 4:11:34
2. Team Arizona 4:13:30
3. Team Virginia 4:14:08
4. Team Ohio 4:14:21
5. Team Minnesota 4:14:36
Full results at: Results: stateofmindsports.com.
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