Full Vineman Triathlon, Barb’s Race this Saturday

The 20th annual Full Vineman Triathlon will be renewed this
Saturday, Aug. 1, providing the ultimate challenge 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.   
Last year’s winners, 32 year-old Dan Arlandson of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota and Whitney Henderson, 28, of Lafayette,
Colorado will return to defend their titles.
As an added incentive, all men who finish this year’s race in
under nine hours and 30 minutes will share a $2,000 bonus.  Female
athletes must break 10:30 to receive the same bonus. 
Barb’s Race on tap Saturday
The ninth 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. 
An estimated 450 women are expected to compete individually and
on relay teams.
In addition, 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 $300,000 in its first eight years.