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PRESS RELEASE – The Guam Triathlon Federation (“GTF”) saw 152 participants, many of them first-time triathletes, compete in the first of two sprint distance series races early Sunday morning at Hoover Park in Piti.

GTF National Champion Gabe Lombard was the first to exit the water in transition to the bike leg. (courtesy photo)
The 750 meter swim, 20 kilometer bike and 5k run would see some of Guam’s best triathletes go head to head in a tightly contested race.
Current GTF National Champion Gabe Lombard and XTERRA Professional triathlete Mieko Carey were the first male and female to cross the finish line, giving them first place points and the series lead.
Not far behind Lombard was the second overall finisher, standout runner Charlie Epperson. Epperson would finish less than 30 seconds behind Lombard’s finishing time of 1 hour and 2 minutes (unofficial), nearly catching Lombard at the end of the race with a blistering 5k run pace well below 6 minutes per mile.
Rounding out the top three in the men’s division was Ironman World Championship qualifier Cameron O’neal, who battled back and forth for second place position with Epperson during the bike leg of the race.
“We came out of transition on the bike and Charlie took off like a rocket,” an exhausted O’neal said after the race.
Riding strong with Epperson and O’neal for most of the 20k bike leg was XTERRA professional triathlete Carey, who was the sixth overall finisher and first female. Following Carey was strong swimmer Sara Haack and female GTF National Champion Aysha Perez in second and third, respectively.
“It’s a PR for me in a sprint, that’s always the goal,” said Lombard after the race. “At the turn around on the run I saw Charlie flying, it definitely pushed me to the finish.”
“It’s great to see all the first time participants, we had a great turn out today,” he added.
The combination of a swim and bike by Patrick Camacho and run from Justin Nieves would see them take first place honors in the relay division.
“We’d like to thank all the participants and volunteers for coming out and making this a great, safe race today,” said GTF President Mark Cruz. “We hope to see everyone at the second race on the 23rd.”
The race series is serving as a fundraiser for the GTF National Team’s upcoming Pacific Islands Triathlon Championship this August in Papua New Guinea.
Athletes interested in signing up for the remaining race can download a registration form at triathlonguam.com or pick one up at Hornet Sporting Goods Single race fees are $25 for non-GTF members and $15 for GTF members/students 17 and under. Relay teams are also encouraged to join for $20 per person for non-GTF members and $15 per person for GTF members/students 17 and under.
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GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
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1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
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Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
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4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
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5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
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7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
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9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
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11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
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12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
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12th
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14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
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15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
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16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
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18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
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19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
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19th
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23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
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23rd
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24th
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25th
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27th
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29th
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Events for December
30th

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