Daily Collegian - Iron Man racers finish strong (Alder Comes in Third)

Iron Man racers finish strong

Despite early morning clashes of thunder and a half-hour delay, the Phi Kappa Tau Iron Man triathalon fundraiser for the Association for Retarded Citizens brought 95 contestants to its starting line yesterday.

The 16.4 mile event began at 10:30 a.m. at the University outdoor swimming pool with contestants swimming a half-mile, biking 11.2 miles and running 4.7 miles finishing at the Phi Kappa Tau house, 108 E. Fairmont Ave.

Contestants entered the competition as fraternity or sorority members, independents or masters (age 40 or over).

Competition chairman Chris Badali said there were 20 fewer participants this year because entrants were required to bring their own bike helmets to meet University Police Service saftey regulations.

No one has ever suffered injuries from not wearing a helmet in the history of the marathon, he said.

Changes were made to the three-year-old marathon, Badali said. The bike route was lengthened by 1.2 miles and the run by 0.7 miles.

Leslie Fedon said she entered yesterday's marathon without preparation "just to go out and have a lot of fun."

Fedon has qualified for the Hawaiian Iron Man contest that requires contestants to bike 110 miles, swim 2.4 miles in the ocean and run 26.2 miles.

Phi Kappa Tau will complete adding the amount of funds raised for the Easter Seal Foundation of Centre and Clinton Counties from cannning and raffle tickets at a later date.

The winners included: Male greek division, first place, Robert Barringer, Theta Delta Chi; second place, Craig Womeldorf, Sigma Pi and third place, James Alder, Theta Chi.

The male independent winners included first place, Chris Bleam (junior-health physical education); second place, Gary Gadula; third place, Dave Utley (junior-general arts and sciences).

The male masters first place winners included first place, Roger Ware, State College; second place, Terry McMillen, Uniontown; and third place, Joseph Landy.

The female independents first place, Leslie Fedon (senior-physical education); second place, Emily Hass (sophomore-liberal arts) and third place, Kathy Purnell.

The female masters first place winner was Ruth Kazer, State College.