Overcast skies and some brief spurts of rain provided athletes and spectators with the perfect weather for last Sunday’s 22nd consecutive Lake Freebird Triathlon and Duathlon. The overall winner for this year’s Triathlon was Rosie Laughlin. The Springfield athlete, who competed in the 50+ age division, finished with a time of 1:13.17. On the male side, the best overall finisher was Kansas City’s Brenden VanBerkum (1:13.43).
Mountain Grove’s Kay Beth Litty had a 2:14 in the over 60 category. Christy Stillwell had a 1:45 in the over 50 division. Grady Bolin also competed in the triathlon and finished with a time of 1:38.15.
In the Beginner’s Triathlon, Andrew Norris won with a 53:50.
Trenton Harker came in with a 1:37.
Ten-year-old Emily Jarrett had a great showing in the Youth Triathlon. The oldest athlete to compete on race day was Race Director Cynthia MacPherson, at age 71.
She has competed all 22 years, even after a total knee replacement.
As for the Duathlon, Mountain Grove’s Kacey Watson finished with a 1:39.45. Her mother, Katie Hubner, also competed. Athletes from four states participated on race day.
