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The Vineman Triathlon Celebrates 20th Anniversary This Weekend

  • By Liz Hichens
  • Published Jul 29, 2009

The longest running ironman-distance triathlon in the continental U.S. celebrates its 20th
Anniversary when it is contested this Saturday, August 1st 2009.  The Vineman Triathlon presented
by AVIA will host 700 athletes from all over the world, including 71-year old Peter Schloemp of
Santa Rosa, who is the only returnee from the inaugural race started by Race Director Russ Pugh in
1990.  The racers will compete for time and course bonuses as well as swim and run primes.  Last
year’s winners, Dan Arlandson of Mendota Heights, Minnesota and Whitney Henderson of Lafayette,
Colorado are returning to defend their titles.

The ninth Annual Barb’s Race will also take place on August 1.  Barb’s Race is the only all-women’s
half-ironman distance triathlon in the world.  Named after a long-time volunteer and two-time cancer
survivor, the race has raised $265,000 in the past eight years to support local cancer organizations.  1500
athletes will be racing Barb’s Race, the Full Vineman and AquaBike events on that day.

For the 20th year racers, their family and friends – as many as 10,000 supporters – will converge on
Sonoma County, California to participate in the Vineman events as well as enjoy the beauty and bounty
of the wine country.

All Vineman events begin at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville with the swim. The second leg features
a bike ride through wine country  which finishes at Windsor High School.  The final segment, the run,
takes the athletes from Windsor High School to the La Crema Winery and back.

On Sunday, July 19 Australians Joe Gambles and Pip Taylor claimed the Vineman Ironman 70.3 titles.

FILED UNDER: News / PRESS ROOM / West TAGS:

Liz Hichens

Liz Hichens

Liz Hichens is the Web Producer of Triathlete.com. She is an Ironman and marathon finisher and fan of all endurance sports.