Atomic Man Duathlon
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Sunday, April 29, 2007
10k/40k/5k & 4k/15k/4k
www.triatomics.org/duathlon

Ecuadorian running powerhouse Silvio Guerra showed the form and strength that has accomplished so much in his career at the Atomic Man Duathlon in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Guerra, who now hails from Colorado's Front Range in Golden, made the trip south to the quickly growing Atomic Man Du as a tune-up for the upcoming world championships in Hungary. The affable Guerra, who admittedly did not know what to expect, quickly found himself at home on the high-altitude mountain plateau country around Los Alamos. When the gun went off, he showed his back side to the field right away and never looked back, taking the win by nine minutes and in the process, breaking the previous course record by six minutes and becoming the first person ever to break two hours on this difficult course.

On the women's side it was NM's pro duathlete Gabriela Hnilkova-Jenks who took a strong win over local athlete and Ironman Florida's women's age group 40-44 winner Amy Regan, with Santa Fe's Char Latham in third - exactly like the year before.

The day dawned clear, bright, warm and calm, which was a departure from the previous week's weather, which saw lots of chilly wind, clouds and even some snow. The high Sangre de Cristo mountain range on the other side of the Rio Grande still gleamed white with all of the new snow, but the spring day was almost summer-like at the race venue. For some of the local competitors, as it was the year before, it was the first time in shorts all season. Competitors remarked at the perfect conditions.

The Atomic Man courses, which have two versions: the "Fat Man" and "Little Boy," have been described as "perfect" for their blend of quiet roads, natural setting and difficulty. The race organization does its best to improve every year, and it has been suggested that this event become a USAT championship event at some point. The Fat Man race is the full "Olympic" distance of 10km run/40 km bike/5km run, and the Little Boy is a lighter version with a slightly easier terrain 4km run/15km bike/4km run format, which is perfect for first-timers and those who are not quite ready to tackle the Fat Man.

Guerra, who is a three-time Olympian, a two-time second place finisher at Boston marathon and winner of the Chicago marathon in 2:09, claimed that this race was "...definitely more difficult than Boston!" Although he is still a bit new to duathlon, he never appeared to have a weak moment. Even the hilly bike leg was strong for him on this day, as he out split the field there too.

Last year's winner, Clay Moseley from Los Alamos, who is a two-time former national cycling time trial champion and 1995 Pan American Games gold medalist, remarked that Guerra looked at home on the long climb out of Ancho Canyon. Moseley, who bike raced extensively in South America throughout the 1990's, said that watching Guerra ride a bike reminded him of those days.

"Those guys just love going uphill. They ride the hills like we ride the flats...lots of big gears and riding in the drops. Their bodies are well adapted to breathing hard in the high mountains and they're nice and light. It's definitely their element."

Following Guerra were a pair of fast Oklahoma tough guys, Trevor Gillum and Stuart Lisle, while Moseley struggled with a mechanical on the bike and settled for fourth.

After the race, competitors were treated to lunch and awards made by local artists, as well as cash prizes for overall top-3 finishers. Guerra, who said he would be back and bring some friends with him next time, suggested to the race organization that a cash award be put up for the first person to break his course record. Organizers delighted at the notion and so it might be an incentive for next year.

See: www.triatomics.org/duathlon for results and more race information.