Rockbuster Duathlon, Ashland, MA

(Off Road‹Run 2 miles, Bike 7 miles, Run 2 miles)

April 28, 1996

Results courtesy of the DAVE ANDERSEN € 191 MERRIMAC STREET € NEWBURYPORT, MA, 01950 € (508) 462-5047.

A huge turnout showed up for the first multisport race of the New England F.I.R.M. Race Series. Following the most trecherous winter in New England history, this race was a welcome to Spring and a chance to work out the winter kinks. Race day was dry but cool, and race director Bill Fiske had a full field‹limited to 200‹due to the off road narrow trails of Ashland State Park.

Just as there is a marked difference between mountain biking and road racing, there was a unique blend of athletes at this off road duathlon. Mountain bikers, triathletes, and runners mixed it up in an exciting race.

The course was challenging. Loose gravel, large rocks, roots, lots of turns and some brutally steep hills insured a tough, yet fun race.

This race was not just any race, but a Grand Prix race for team points that by season end will be worth thousands of dollars to the top teams. Many teams were here along with there star athletes including‹Vince Kotowski, Charlie Desourdy, Jon Bold, Scott Stanton, Don Alden, Meg Ryan, Candy Angle, Cathy Corning and dozens of others in all age groups.

After an opening half mile on the road the course turned to narrow trail. Those looking for high placings sprinted off the line and jockeyed for position. By the end of the opening 2 mile run a handful of them had pulled away including Kotowski, Bold, and Desourdy. The lead women included 38-year-old Molly Tyson and Candy Angle. The bike course was by all accounts tough and included a stream crossing followed by a hill climb so steep that only one person was able to get up and over while riding. As the race progressed the field sorted itself out and Jon Bold pulled away while 17-year-old Bill Ronco and Jerry Dezutter moved up. Bold was in a class of his own and crossed the line first in 45:14 followed by the fleet-footed Kotwoski (45:47) and the young mountain bike expert Ronco (45:52). Candy Angle (52:47) slowly pulled away from Tyson (54:29), followed by Ryan (44:00).

Male Open
1	Jon Bold, Marston Mills, MA		45:14
2	Vincent Kotwoski, Worcester, MA	45:47
3	Bill Ronco, Lexington, MA		45:52
4	Jerry Dezutter, Worcester, MA 	46:01
5	Charles Desourdy, Charlton, MA	46:22

Female Open
1	Candy Angle, Weymouth, MA	52:47
2	Molly Tyson, Charlestown, MA	54:29
3	Meg Ryan, Worcester, MA		44:00
4	Cathy Corning, Framingham, MA	56:32
5	Judy Fenner, Bewster, MA		58:09

Male Over 40
1	Marc Saucier, Littleton, MA		50:14

Female Over 40
1	Judy Fenner, Bewster, MA		58:09