Vineyard Triathlon dominated by Ginger Howell

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Ginger Howell of Newton finished first among all athletes competing in the Vineyard Triathlon. — Photo by Michael Cummo

Ginger Howell of Gloucester, the overall winner, crushed the competition in the Vineyard 70.3 Triathlon on Sunday. Ginger finished the swimming, biking and running in 4:52:43, a full five minutes and fifteen seconds before the first place finisher in the men’s division, Wayne Nichols from St. Croix, who finished with a time of 4:57:58 to take second place overall.

Todd Cleland of Oak Bluffs was third with a time of 5:30:04.

The triathlon began at 6:30 AM and included an open water swim, followed by a 56 mile bike route around the Island, and ended with a 13.04 mile run through and around Oak Bluffs. A total of 74 athletes participated, some individually and others in teams of three.

Racers could also elect to race with a team in a relay format. Team Holmes Holers, comprised of Islanders Gary Maynard, Hudson Maynard and Lee Greathouse, was the winning relay team with a time of 4:46:28. Swimmers could also elect to participate only in an open water race; Leslie Craven, from Vineyard Haven, was the fastest overall swimmer with a time of 33:33.

Results:

Female winners: 1, Ginger Howell 4:52:43; 2, Kathleen Wanat 5:24:49; 3, Alexis Ball 6:04:36; Male winners: 1, Wayne Nichols 4:57:58; 2, Todd Cleland 5:30:04; 3, Charlie Iselin 5:45:50; Relay Team: Homes Holers, Gary Maynard, Hudson Maynard, Lee Greathouse 4:46:28; Female Open Water swimming: Leslie Craven 33:33; Male Open Water swimming: Mike Hagadorn 33:42.