TransRockies Day One: Team EverymanTRI in the hunt after 20.8 mile stage 1

Mike Smith and Jason Wolfe battled it out with reigning champs Max King and Ryan Bak for overall honors in the Men's Open division on the first stage of the 2011 GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run held in Buena Vista, CO, today. Smith and King finished in a rapid 2h17m, with King and some 4 minutes behind at 2h21m.

An elated Jason Wolfe said at the finish that it was a great battle all day. "We swapped the lead with Max and Ryan several times during the first 10 miles, and then managed to pull out a bit of a gap over the final 6 or so miles. It feels great to be in the lead, but we still have five days of racing to go."

The 20.8 mile stage was held in warm conditions with the mercury hovering around 80F, however was not as warm as last year's 89F.

Winners of the Women's Open division were Cynthia and Ashley Arnold for Team TrailRunner Magazine in 2h58m, Brianna Torres and Jennifer McCarthy were second in 3h04m.

Mixed Open winners were Team Salomon runners Anna Frost and Rickey Frost in 2h41m.

Team EverymanTri, with Paul Shippey and Lori Lyons , finished the first stage in 4h09m and currently lie 6th in the 80+ Mixed Division. Jeff and Katie Caba lead this division with a time of 2h48m.

Click HERE to visit Lori and Paul's race blog.

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