The 21st annual Full Vineman Triathlon will be renewed this
Saturday, July 31, providing a test of will and endurance for an
estimated 500 athletes.
The Vineman has the distinction of being the oldest independent
Ironman distance triathlon held in the continental United
States.
The event kicks off at dawn at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville
with a 2.4-mile swim, continues with a 112-mile bike ride through
the wine country of Sonoma County, and concludes with a 26.2-mile
marathon, finishing up at Windsor High School.
The swim segment features one of the most rustic venues seen in
the sport, and follows with a bike ride through the Russian River,
Dry Creek, Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill grape-growing regions,
which includes an elevation climb of about 4000 feet. The marathon
consists of three, 8.6-mile loops through the back-roads of
Windsor.
Former Vineman champions collide
This year’s men’s race will be a battle of former champions,
featuring two-time defending champion Dan Arlandson (Burnsville,
MN), three time champion David Glover (Boulder, CO), and 2005
winner Kevin Danahy (Rehoboth, DE.). Other contenders looking to
take home a piece of the $4,000 prize bonus will be Brandon Del
Campo (Boulder, CO), Windsor’s Jady Palko, Matt Zanger (Walnut
Creek), and Keish Doi (Cupertino).
While the men’s race includes a slew of former champions, the
women’s race to the tape appears to be wide open. The pre-race
favorite is Teri Albertazzi of Tucson, AZ.
As an added incentive, all men who finish this year’s race in
under 9:30 will share a $4,000 bonus. Female athletes must break
10:30 to receive the same bonus. In addition, a $500 bonus is up
for grabs in event that a course record is set. The existing marks
for male and female athletes are 8:50, and 10:13 respectively.
Barb’s Race on tap Saturday
The 10th annual Barb’s Race, the only all-women’s 70.3 triathlon
distance contested in the world, will be run in conjunction with
the Full Vineman this Saturday. Some 600 women are expected to
compete individually and on relay teams.
An Aqua Bike race will also be contested.
Named for cancer survivor Barbara Recchia of Healdsburg, Barb’s
Race starts in Guerneville with a 1.2-mile swim, continues with a
56-mile bike ride through Sonoma County, and ends with a 13.1-mile
half-marathon, finishing at Windsor High School. It’s run on the
same course as the Vineman Ironman 70.3 Triathlon.
Barb’s Race serves as a fundraiser for local cancer support
groups, having raised over $400,000 in its first nine years.
For more information on the Vineman series of races, log onto
www.vineman.com. To make a
donation to the Vineman Cancer Charities, go to www.vineman.com and click on “Cancer
Charities.”
