October 23, 2005, Mohonk Preserve, NY: The inaugural American Zofingen ultra distance duathlon more than lived up to its billing as an homage to the legendary Powerman Zofingen. Overnight storms soaked the course, making for muddy running and treacherous cycling, but the real culprit was the cold. The crack of dawn start saw temperatures of 39 degrees, rising to 41 and not much higher. The course consists of a hilly 5 mile trail run in Spring Farm, followed by a mountainous 84 mile bike race covering 3 laps of Mohonk Mountain and the Minnewaska peak of the Shawangunk Mountain Range, and finally a 15 mile hilly trail run. Total elevation gains were 2,914 feet of running and 8,121 feet of cycling.

Mark Allan, 6 time victor of Ironman Hawaii, has been quoted as saying the hardest race he's ever done is Powerman Zofingen. Powerman Zofingen's severity is due more to its terrain (mountainous road bike course, hilly trail runs) than its formidable length (10K run / 150K bike / 30K run). American Zofingen, although slightly shorter, is arguably harder. New Paltz, as a venue, offers stunning scenery and a grueling challenge. Late October in the Hudson Valley is a wondrous time of flaming foliage, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hot cider, headless horsemen and, now, on of the toughest duathlons on the planet.

With 28 entered in the long course race, only 17 dared toe the line. Of them, only 10 finished. The top three were professional multisport athletes. Jordan Rapp, of New York, won in 7:12:31, looking comfortable, despite the weather, terrain and length. Corey Boilard, of New Hampshire, placed 2nd in 7:36:42. Ryan Jones, of Pennsylvania, placed 3rd in 7:53:16, despite setting out on the bike course dressed as if for a Victoria's Secret catalogue. He might not have finished at all, if he wasn't able to borrow a pair of gloves from a young girl working the bike aid station.

As none of the three women who started the long course finished, the women's prize purse was rolled into the men's race. The total purse paid out was $1200.

It amuses this writer, having just witnesses the Herculean efforts of the American Zofingen athletes, drawn not by the pitiful and token prize purse, but rather by the unique challenge of the toughest run/bike/run race on the planet, how sports writers today were gushing over the length of the third Worlds Series game, something over 5 hours, where the multimillionaire "athletes" spent half the game or more on their warm and well cushioned arses.

The 2006 American Zofingen is planned for October 15th.