2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 12:45 pm

Congratulations to all of the Aflic Iron Girl participants. To all you first timers: YOU DID IT! Be proud. Thanks once again to our wonderful volunteers and sponsors. We really appreciate your help and support!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 12:43 pm

That is all for today, things are wrapping up at Centennial Lake. Next up for CTA is the Chesapeake Man Endurance Festival in Cambridge, Maryland on September 25th.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 12:41 pm

Here are your top five overall finishers at the trophy tent. Left to right (in order of finishing): Laurel Wassner, Kristen Peterson, Sharon Schmidt-Mongrain, Suzy McCulloch, and Kim Schwabenbauer.



And a picture of Laurel Wassner as she receives her trophy and prize money for coming in first overall. Standing behind her is Sarah Reinertsen, who helped give out the awards.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 11:26 am

15 yeare old Camille Veselka just crossed the finish line. Congratulations: you are an Iron Girl!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 11:02 am

Here is a look at the age group trophies that will be awarded today. They are adorned with the Iron Girl 'grace' logo:

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 10:31 am

1,600 Iron Girls in so far. They are still crossing the line in bunches. Joyful mood at the finish line, whether it comes out in cheers or tears as contestants realize their achievement. Congratulations, all, it is a wonderful thing.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 10:15 am

Gracious thanks to our many sponsors, of course Aflac. Other sponsors include Princeton Sports, Luna Bar, Sheraton Columbia Town Center, Davids Natural Market, Howard County Tourism, Subaru, Gaterade, Spinervals, Bodycology, Aquasphere, xterra, Muscelite Milk, Rohto, Dr. Teal's....

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 10:00 am

The Aflac duck watches over shoes while the racers are busy becoming Iron Girls.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 9:49 am

What started out in the water with the swim, ends in water: a downpour on those waiting at the finish line.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 9:46 am

Racers are streaming over the finish line, nearly 900 so far.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 9:29 am

Sara, after crossing the finish line, encouraged and impressed by the spirit of all the women along the way. She notes all today's first time triathletes who will cross the finish line to become Iron Girls and says that her journey to racing in an Iron Man started with a sprint length race like this.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 9:25 am

Sara Reinersen crosses the finish line at 2:36:43

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 9:21 am

We want to take a moment to thank our many volunteers, among them are the team of kayakers who make sure swimmers are safe. We would also like to thank the Howard County Police, Fire and Rescue, Parks and Recreation. A special shout out those that volunteer along the course, encouraging triathetes and maning stations. Thanks all. We couldnt do it with out. you.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 9:10 am

Racers are pouring over the finish line, now, 174 have completed their race and become Iron Girls!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:52 am

30 races have crossed the finish line, currently times are running at about 2 hours.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:51 am

Here is a picture of Race Director Rob Vigorito with Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. Ken Ulman encouraged racers earlier this morning just prior to the start of the first wave of swimmers hitting the water.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:49 am

Some more images from earlier today in the Aflac Iron Girl, these ones from the start of the bike course.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:29 am

We mentioned a number of teams are participating in this year's race. Here are a few pre race photos from Action Sports.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:17 am

Rounding out the top five are:

Suzy McCulloch at 1:31:51 coming in fourth.
Kim Schwabenbauer at 1:33:11 crossing fifth.

(Results, at this point, are unofficial.)

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:14 am

Unofficially:

Laurel Wassner at 1:23:16
Kristen Peterson at 1:28:22
Sharon Schmidt-Mongrain at 1:30:35

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:08 am

Kristen Peterson, from Boulder Colorado, crosses the finish line second.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:06 am

Laurel Wassner crosses the finish line in first place. Laurel, a cancer surviver herself, won the Columbia Triathlon earlier this year. Emcee Nick Tuttle welcomes her to the finish line. Laurel confesses she was trying to break her sisters course record. We'll wait for the official time, but she thinks she wasn't quite there with the rain holding her back a bit. Next week, she is off for a triathlon in Chicago.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:01 am

Laurel Wassner is on the dam, here at Centennial Lake, that means she has about a mile to go.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 8:00 am

The orange wave of teens is off and it is just the relays to go.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:59 am

Two waves left to enter the water.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:58 am

Should be just a handful of minutes away from our leader approaching the finish line. That is Laurel Wassner who has been out in front for most of the race.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:57 am

After a few minutes without a PA, we are back with sound. The last wave went off was started with a good old fashioned bull horn. Rain's been causing issues this morning, but all are persevering.  It is a great day regardless.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:48 am

Kristen Peterson, about four minutes behind the leader is out of the post bike transition.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:46 am

Jodi Finkelstein and Woman's Giving Circle team member Ilana Bittner share a moment of pre-race comraderie.



Have a great race!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:43 am

Laurel Wassner is in and out of transition and on the bike course, expect in at the finish line in about twenty to twenty five minutes.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:39 am

Neon yellow caps are getting ready to enter the water, age 45 to 49, first half of the alphabet.  We are getting word that Laurel Wassner is at the traffic circle on Folly Quarter.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:31 am

Just before their moment begings. To become an Iron Girl, go that-a-way!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:29 am

Laurel Wassner is at the turnaround, ten miles into the bike course. She is tearing up the race.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:29 am

Action Sports once again is the official CTA race photographer. Here are some of their shots from the start of the race.



The Pro and Elite wave at swim start.



And they are off!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:26 am

It is currently raining on the course, urge for care for the bike portion is being made. A light rain is fall ing at swimm start, but we hear harder rains are coming down out on the bike course.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:11 am

Light blue is up next to enter the water, age group 40-44 (A-K). Yellow is on deck to enter the water just after, same age, different end of the alphabet.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:10 am

We are getting word from the pace car that Laurel Wassner is out ahead of the pack on the bike course, having turned on to Folly Quarter Road already. In a not too close second is Kristen Peterson.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 7:08 am

Here are a couple of shots from earlier this morning.



Bike reflecters sparkle with the camera strobe at the transition area.



Milling around early at the swim start.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:48 am

Women 50-54 are next, they will be in the stylish hot pink caps.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:47 am

Silver wave is next women 55+ and para triathletes including Ms. Sarah Reinertsen, the first female above the knee amputee to compete in an Iron Man. Read more about here here http://www.tricolumbia.org/resources/tri_news/?id=200. You will also see the story of triathlete Patricia S. Collins, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Paratrooper who lost her leg after being hit by a car while on her bike to work. Patricia is also participating in today's Iron Girl.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:39 am

3,2,1 and we are off!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:39 am

Inside of a minute to go, which means in about fifteen minutes the pros will be out of the water and heading for the bikes!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:39 am

Team Fight is the largest here at Iron Girl with 120 members competing.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:38 am

Today's purse totals $5,000.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:37 am

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman welcomes the day, thanking race coordinators, all the volunteers, including the Police, Fire and Rescue, Parks and Rec... and urging all to have a great day.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:33 am

10 teams will be participating in the race today, representing a number of causes. Among them Team Embrace, Team Fight, Athletes Serving Athletes and The Women's Giving Circle team (Go Ilana!)

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:30 am

The National Anthem is being cued up to mark the official start of the day.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:26 am

The kayakers who will monitor the swim are making their way out into the water, situating themselves across the length of the course.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:25 am

The transition area is about to close, triathletes are being encouraged to make their way over to the swim start. Not that we can tell under an overcast sky, we are about two minutes away from sunrise.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:24 am

20 minutes away from our first wave hits the water. It will be the Pros and Elite category. There are 4 pros in today's race, including this year's Columbia Triathlon winner, Laurel Wassner. The Elite category is those who have forgone their age group to race in a openly competitive group.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:19 am

It is still lightly raining. Triathletes are getting tips on riding on the slick roads. Today's race will have a six tenths of a mile swim, followed by a 17.5 mile bike ride and finished up with a 3.4 mile run. Road paint in these conditions will be particluarly slippery.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:07 am

Triathlon and running coach Nick Tuttle is today's emmcee. You can follow Nick on his blog at http://nicktuttle.blogspot.com/

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 6:00 am

2,549 entrants in today's race from 22 states and even Canada.

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 5:59 am

Just shy of six o'clock, we are seeing a slight misty kind of rain. Hey now, the folks at Foote's Forcast said it was going to be nice till noon!

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 5:55 am

This is the fifth annual Columbia Iron Girl triathlon. Iron Girl, itself, was launced in 2004 and features races of varing lengths in twelve locations around the nation. Iron Girl seeks to encourage and empower healthy lifestyles for women. Find all the latest information nationwide on the Aflac Iron Girl http://www.irongirl.com/

2010 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia

Aug 22, 2010 5:44 am

Good morning folks and welcome to the 2010 Aflac Iron Girl in Columbia Maryland, hosted by the Columbia Triathlon Association. We are live blogging today's race which is set to start in just about an hour.

Archived Trilights

• Iron Girl Half Marathon 2013 (April 28, 2013)
• Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon 2012 (August 19, 2012)
• Celebrating Heroes Triathlon 2012 (June 24, 2012)
• Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon 2012 (June 10, 2012)
• The Columbia Triathlon 2012 (May 20, 2012)
• Iron Girl Half Marathon 2012 (April 29, 2012)
• Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon 2011 (August 21, 2011)
• Celebrating Heroes Triathlon 2011 (June 26, 2011)
• Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon 2011 (June 12, 2011)
• The Columbia Triathlon 2011 (May 22, 2011)
• Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon 2010 (August 22, 2010)
• Celebrating Heroes Triathlon 2010 (June 27, 2010)
• Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon 2010 (June 13, 2010)
• The Columbia Triathlon 2010 (May 23, 2010)