Ludlow Boys and Girls Club Triathlon

Ludlow MA, Sunday June 9, 1996

0.5 mile swim - 14 mile bike - 4 mile run

From... Charlie Desourdy, Charlton MA

Bill Fiske and his organization F.I.R.M. recruited volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club, posted local police at every intersection on the bike and run courses, floated fire department personell in a boat on the swim course to provide a safe and fun event for all.

The clouds and humidity, did not keep the race from drawing strong competition. It's likely that the $125, $75, $50 prize purse for the top three male and female finishers had something to do with the calibre of competition, although some were here to tune-up for nationals in two weeks.

Bill Reves and Jon Bold sprinted hard at the gun, but it was Bill who ended up with a :30 onto the bike course over Jon, who was followed by James Ball and Charlie Desourdy another :30 back. Jon rode unchallenged to a 1:30 lead over Bill and 2:00 over Webber and Desourdy who switched places again in transition, with Desourdy getting out just ahead.

The women's race was close from the beginning, Kim Walsh, Anne Curi-Presig and Judi Pignatare all exited the swim within 1 second. Curie-Presig caught and passed Walsh after 4 miles of cycling and continued to put time on the women's field. Walsh, Harriett Meyer, and Tracy Johnson followed :45 back but very close together. Currie-Presig won by 1:15 and as the crowd cheered them on Meyer and Walsh turned the final corner shoulder to shoulder, 100 yards from the finish. With 60 yards to go Walsh put on a strong surge and some distance on Meyer, but could not hold on as Meyer made her move and took second place 3 seconds ahead of Walsh.

The men's finish was not as close or dramatic, Jon Bold finished 1st with a margin that had dropped to :20 over Reves in second, Webber passed Desourdy at 2.5 miles to take third place :30 behind Reves.

Men                                     Women
Jon Bold                1:05:18         Anne Curi-Presig        1:11:08
Bill Reeves             1:05:38         Harriott Meyer          1:13:23
Todd Webber             1:06:08         Kimberly Walsh          1:13:26
Charlie Desourdy        1:06:43         Tracy Johnson           1:14:07
James Ball              1:08:16         Donna Smyers            1:14:37

Masters
Tod Webber              1:05:38         Harriott Meyer          1:13:23