Ben Allen had more than enough energy to let loose after being the first to cross the finish line in the 2013 XTERRA Guam. (photo by Jesse Castro)
Australia’s 28-year-old Ben Allen successfully defended his title at the 2013 XTERRA Guam triathlon event held in Piti, edging out South Africa’s Dan Hugo in the 8.2 kilometer run in the men’s division. Winning in the women’s division was United Kingdom’s 29-year-old Jacqui Slack, training partner and girlfriend of Allen, dethroning Switzerland’s previous champ Renata Bucher who came in second place.
All racers started XTERRA with a 1.5-kilometer swim at Port Authority Beach, then proceeded to a 31-meter mountain bike ride through the Nimitz Hill course and finished with the 8.2-kilometer run down Mannengon Hills.
Allen and Hugo were neck-and-neck throughout the event but the run was always Allen’s strong suit, edging out Hugo despite slightly trailing him upon the start of the 8.2 kilometer run.
“I really pride myself on my running ability and I knew it was going to come down to the wire, especially with [Hugo] who is such a high class athlete. I knew I had to be on my game in all three disciplines and I was just fortunate to have a good race and come out with the win,” stated Allen on which facet propelled him in retaining his title.
Jacqui Slack was all smiles crossing the finish line knowing she was the first female to cross. (photo be Jesse Castro)
Allen is an eight time XTERRA champion having won his previous two on Guam and Saipan.
Slack used her background in swimming to gain the advantage over the other females and planned to hold the lead as long as she could, managing to do so throughout. As much as winning was the goal the XTERRA event is not the only thing Slack looks forward to when heading to Guam.
“I raced last year but made a quit a few mistakes, though, I’ve learned from them and came out stronger. It’s also not just about the race but about the whole experience of Guam. We have a wonderful time here and it is an absolute bonus that Guam is such a fantastic place because nowhere else in the world can you slide down waterfalls and climb a mountain full of clay,” stated female champion Slack.
The first relay team to finish the XTERRA event was a powerhouse pool of Olympic swimmer Chris Duenas, Olympic cyclist Derek Horton, and running ace Napu Castro.
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(Left to right) Runner Napu Castro, Olympic cyclist Derek Horton, and Olympic swimmer Chris Duenas was the first relay team to finish the 2013 XTERRA Guam event.
Some of the XTERRA competitors posed for GSPN in preparation for the long race. (photo by Jesse Castro)
The first obstacle was the 1.5-kilometer swim. (photo by Jesse Castro)
Champion Ben Allen was followed closely by second place Dan Hugo until the final stretch of the competition. (photo by Jesse Castro)
XTERRA Guam second place finisher Dan Hugo from South Africa. (photo by Jesse Castro)
Local runner Napu Castro finished the final leg of the relay for his team, which also consisted of swimmer Chris Duenas and cyclist Derek Horton. (photo by Jesse Castro)