Sept. 4, 2001 – For the third year in a row, St. John resident Louise DePuy took home the top prize in the women's division at Monday's Love City Triathlon.
"I've been working on my running," she said afterward, noting that she now has help from a coach.
DePuy, 32, who swam competitively when she was younger, said she already was a strong swimmer and biker, but running had been her nemesis. With a total time of 1:50:46, she knocked more than five minutes off her 2000 time, a success she attributed to her improved running. She said she was surprised she did so well, as she hadn't had much time to practice.
Tortola resident Philippe Leroy, who gave his age as 40-plus, won the men's division with a time of 1:40:39.
DePuy, who also was the race director, said nearly 40 people participated. They started with a half-mile swim at Maho Bay, hopped on their bikes for a 14-mile ride from Maho Bay into Cruz Bay and then on to Coral Bay, and finished with a four-mile run.
In the women's division, St. Croix resident Theresa Harper, 35, captured the second place, also for the third year in a row. Her time was 1:59:10. Third went to St. John resident Jude Woodcock, who had a time of 1:59:54.
Woodcock, 45, suffered problems with her bike again this year. Last year a flat tire knocked her out of the race, but this time a passerby helped her get her chain out of the pedal as she headed through Cruz Bay so she could complete the event. "And I did the best run I've done off a bike ever," she said.
This triathlon was a prelude for Woodcock's next big event, Hawaii's Ironman Triathlon, set for Oct. 6.
In the men's division, Chris Ghiorse, 37, of Tortola took second place with a time of 1:46:43. Jamie Bate of St. Croix, 33, came in third clocking 1:53:44.
In the relay competition, the team of St. John residents Tory Lane, Paul Fredsell and Hank Slodden captured first place with a time of 1:51:46. Second went to the St. John team of Mercedes Cover, Dave Thompson and Jennifer Stanley, whose total time was 1:53:27. Third went to the St. Croix team of Marie Witmer, Sue Brown and Louise Middaugh, who finished in 2:07:06.
St. John claimed the International Award, which goes to the island with the three fastest individual competitors from both the men's and women's divisions.
