Socorro Hosts Triathlon Saturday

By Polo C’ de Baca
For the Mountain Mail
SOCORRO – The 14th annual Chile Harvest Triathlon will begin early Saturday at the Socorro Municipal Swimming Pool. In the past, the triathlon has attracted at least as many spectators as entries for the festive colorful affair.
As of Tuesday, 350 participants had registered, according to co-director Steven Montoya. Registration closed at midnight on Tuesday; the event is limited to 400 entries.
This year’s event will not include the Youth Race. Participants must be 18 years old or older. The race will begin promptly at 7 a.m. with a 40-meter swim, or eight lengths of the pool. The contestants will then bicycle 29 kilometers and conclude the race with a 5-kilometer run.
“We have attracted 400 contestants in the past,” Montoya said. “We’re hoping to do that again this year.”
Awards will be given to the top three overall finishers. Males and females compete in separate categories.
The top three finishers in each age and weight category will receive awards. The awards ceremony will be at about 9:30 a.m. to conclude the event.
Last years contestants from out of state included those traveling from El Paso; Wallkill, N.Y.; Ridgeland, Miss., Thornton, Colo., and Saddle Brooke, Ariz.
New Mexico participants came from Socorro, Los Alamos, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Sandia Park, Tijeras, Silver City, Alamogordo, Edgewood, Hurley, McIntosh, Ramah and Clovis. Many contestants are club affiliated.
Last year’s overall winner was Clay Moseley of Los Alamos with a time of 56:10. The women’s overall winner was Aubrey Blair-Pattison of Albuquerque with a time of 1:02:25.
In the female 18 to 19 age group, Alyssa Higgs of Socorro finished second with a time of 1:15:11.3. Lynette Napier of Socorro finished third in the 60 to 64 age group with a time of 1:46:03.5. Patrick Roache of Socorro finished third in the male age group 70 to 98 with an overall time of 1:47:06.4. In that same age group, Catharine Stewart-Roache of Socorro finished first with an overall time of 2:07:33.1
The triathlon is sponsored locally by the Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Howard Johnson, Super 8, Rodeway Inn, Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn, Days Inn and the Socorro Striders and Riders. Find detailed information at www.socorro.com/ssr/chile.
Montoya and Robert Gonzales are co-directors of the event. Results of this year’s triathlon will be posted on the Web site.

Photo caption: A cyclist crosses the finish line of the bicylce portion of last year’s Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon. The 14th annual triathlon is this Saturday. Photo by Polo C’ de Baca/For the Mountain Mail

Socorro Hosts Triathlon Saturday