Regional Sports
August 25, 2011, The Bridgton News, Page C
Tough, but fun challenge
OVERALL 1. Mike Galoob…....1:58.30 2. Rick Nelson….....2:02.37 3. Honey Bager...….2:06.57 4. Nathan Priest…...2:13.19 5. Kevin Callahan…2:15.20 6. Two Docs….........2:15.36 7. Life is Good….....2:16.12 8. Chris Dunn…......2:17.23 9. Steve Sprague…..2:20.00 10. David Beahm.…2:21.40 11.James Karcanes...2:22.52 12.Improved Gimps.2:23.48 13. Mike Towle....…2:24.47 14. Superflies….......2:24.48 15. Andrew Yip…....2:24.52 16. Mike McLeod....2:24.58 17. Roger Thomas...2:27.14 18. Robert Beaudoin..2:29.02 19. Greg Kolvoord...2:30.15 20. Jen Fraunhofer...2:33.11 21. Forty Two…......2:33.22 22. Troy Peavey...…2:35.47 23. William Brown..2:38.20 24. Scott Ferris…....2:38.57 25. Ellis Baum….....2:39.06 26. Team Parkview..2:41.18 27. Scott Smith…....2:41.40 28. Craig Marden…2:42.12 29. Teamo Speedo...2:42.47 30. Ralph Calarusso..2:42.58 31. Got Moxie…......2:43.15 32. Ben Bruns…......2:44.11 33. Jeff Stack….......2:44.34 34. Michael Joyce…2:46.05 35. Angela McLeod.2:46.32 36.Pathological Smelt.2:46.50 37. TJ O’Connell….2:47.29 38. Team Wolfpack..2:47.50 39. Sarah Brown…..2:47.55 40. Michael Adams..2:48.33 41. Mike Murrin…..2:52.15 42. Jen Genovese.....2:52.42 43. Glen Roy…........2:53.42 44. John Boyle….....2:54.34 45. Bruce Elliott…..2:55.18 46. Team Extreme…2:56.28 47. Team Awesome..2:56.29 48. Mike Cicio….....2:57.31 49. William P. Brown.3:01.55 50. Leah Chamberlin..3:01.55 51. Craig Beaucage..3:02.33 52. Justin Colby…...3:03.40 53. Timothy Lindsey...3:05.30 54. Jeremy Hammond..3:05.47 55. Mike Boyson….3:06.12 56. Ryan Paveglio…3:06.58 57. Ted Stavropoulos..3:08.00 58. No Nuts, Just Guts.3:09.05 59. Mary Swiniarski...3:10.09 60. Chad Cote…......3:10.35 61. Kevin Logan…..3:11.30 62. Elizabeth Kenney.3:11.56 63. The Villagers…..3:12.31 64. Patricia Hanley-Goodwin3:15.57 65. Barry Towle…...3:16.19 66. Chris Stack…....3:16.31 67. Guts, Just Nuts…..3:18.36 68. Kerri Stanley…..3:19.04 69. Random….........3:20.52 70. Alissa Towle…..3:22.10 71. Adam Gagne…..3:29.40 72. Garrett Smith….3:31.33 73. Emily Hursty….3:36.21 74. Bruce Kenney…3:42.00 75. Katie Haley…....3:43.45 76. Robert Dawe…..3:51.36 77. Jeanine Smith…3:53.17 78. Chris Furlong….3:53.53 79. Lisa Cavalieri…3:54.40 80. Cate Cote….......3:56.26 81. Tom Tieman…...3:58.12 82. Stand Fast…......3:58.28 83. Carolyn Bird…..4:19.10
BIG LEAD OUT OF THE GATE — Mike Galoob built a big lead after the kayak leg of the Great Adventure Challenge Saturday, and went on to set a new course record in 1:58:30
By Monday, Rob Knowles was feeling both relief and great satisfaction. Relief. There were no major issues — injuries or problems along the course — at the fourth annual Great Adventure Challenge. Satisfaction. Competitors gave glowing comments about the triathlon and those who worked as volunteers. “Response from competitors is very encouraging. We were about 10% down this year; this seems to be the trend for similar events, however, everyone is going to bring a friend next year. This will be the theme for the Fifth Annual Challenge,” said Knowles, triathlon founder and race director. “My expectation is that we will have at least 150 kayaks on the water for the first leg. I feel that the Challenge was again, a great in his debut at the triathlon held at Shawnee Peak. Defending success. We have some folks champ Rick Nelson was unable to come back from Galoob’s that have done this all four years quick start, finishing in second. (Photo by Greg Van Vliet) and a host of competitors that this is their third. It’s a really tough, fun event where you can challenge yourself.” Knowles gave high praise to the volunteers — the event’s backbone. “It is said that it takes a com-
‘It was a perfect venue’
Mike Galoob wins Challenge in record time
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Mike Galoob almost didn’t sign up for the Great Adventure Challenge because he doesn’t own a suitable kayak. His fellow competitors might find it hard to believe that Galoob borrowed one at the last moment after the 37year-old from Peace Dale, R.I. scorched the 84-participant field in record time Saturday. Galoob built over a fiveminute lead after the first leg of the GAC triathlon and held off a valiant charge by defending champion Rick Nelson to claim the overall title. Galoob’s record overall time was 1 hour, 58 minutes, 30 seconds. Nelson, who was able to trim about two minutes off Galoob’s lead with the field’s best time in the 14-plus mile bike event, settled for second in 2 hours, 2 minutes, 37 seconds. Nathan Priest, who post-
ed the fastest time climbing Pleasant Mountain, was third in 2:13.19. “I hadn’t done any multisport races before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was hoping to be competitive in the bike and run legs,” Galoob said. “I’ve been riding and running all summer and have done a couple of bike and running races. I didn’t know how competitive the kayak leg would be. I saw some very fast boats in photos of previous events, and the paddling course record is quite fast.” Once Galoob found a good kayak, he located a camping site nearby and packed up his family for a weekend trip to Maine. “I hadn’t practiced paddling in years and the boat was very tippy and uncomfortable for me. I was surprised how sore my legs were when I finished the paddle,” he said. “It took
VOLUNTEERS, Page C several miles into the bike ride for them to start to recover. But while I felt pretty terrible during the switch from paddle to run, I think it was ascending the ski slope at the end that was truly difficult. It was hot and steep, tough to keep moving, let alone trying to do it quickly. I’m still sore this morning (Monday).” Galoob was happy with his kayak (23:57) and bike performances (1:06.30, the second fastest time). He has been training since June, having competed in a couple of bike and running races this summer. “I was able to pace well and actually have fun on the bike ride,” he said. “Although now I know how hard the hill climb is, I would have gone faster on the bike as there’s no point in saving energy for the hike since you’re going to suffer no matter what!” While setting a course record was extremely satisfying, Galoob was most pleased about the Great Adventure Challenge, in general. He said the atmosphere was “fun and relaxed despite the competition.” “It was a perfect venue to bring your family and friends, and was all the better in raising money for a good cause,” he said. “The variety of sports makes it interesting, but also the setting. Racing across lakes, through the woods, and up mountains makes it more enjoyable than just completTOUGH CLIMB — Emily Hursty steps up onto a rock along ing a certain number of miles. the trail leading to Pleasant Mountain’s summit. CHALLENGE, Page C (Rivet Photo)
KAYAK 1. Mike Galoob….......23:57 2. John Boyle…..........24:52 3. Honey Bager….......25:03 4. Ted Stavropoulos…25:58 5. Nathan Priest…......26:13 6. Teamo Speedo…....26:17 7. Kevin Callahan…...26:44 8. Michael Adams…...27:09 9. Jeff Stack…............27:29 10. Steve Sprague…...27:30 11. Greg Kolvoord…..27:45 12. David Beahm…....27:59 13. Improved Gimps...27:59 14. William P. Brown.28:00 15. Superflies…..........28:00 16. Andrew Yip….......28:10 17. Roger Thomas…..28:10 18. Mike Towle….......28:14 19. Craig Beaucage….28:19 20. Chris Dunn….......28:28 21. Mike Boyson…....28:36 22. Craig Marden…....28:36 KAYAK, Page C
NEW & IMPROVED GIMP — Walt Grzyb, a member of the PADDLING IN TIGHT RANK — Competitors squeezed closer together as they approached a New & Improved Gimps team, tackles the bike course. turn marker on Moose Pond during the first leg of the Great Adventure Challenge triathlon, (Photo by Greg Van Vliet/Lake Region Photography.com) benefitting Good Neighbors, Inc. (Rivet Photo)