To determine the race favorites for the 2008 edition of the Zone Urban Epic on Saturday, July 26 at 9:00AM, OA spoke with last year's men's and women's winners, Kurt Perham and Katie Payson.
On the men's side, Kurt points to Mike Caiazzo, recent winner of the Scarborough Triathlon and a professional triathlete. Kurt also expects Jeff Fisher, Rob Fast, Thomas McWalters and Scott Marr to have solid performances among the amateur racers. As to his own chances, Kurt will not decide until today whether or not he will race.
On the women's side, the Urban epic will feature two elite-level triathletes. Mary Miller, a 28-year old from Elliot, Maine, is an elite amateur athlete who has been ripping it up around the country over the past year. She was first at the inaugural Pumpkinman Triathlon, 6th among USA women in the ITU Age Group World Championships and 2nd overall at the 2007 Timberman. But it is Becky Lavalle, the first alternate for the Beijing Olympic team, who is expected to win the women's overall. She may even give Caiazzo a run for his money. Sponsored by Zone, the Urban Epic Title sponsor, Lavalle has been enjoying the rainy, humid Maine weather over the past few days in what is her first trip to Maine.
Among the "best of the rest," Katie Payson points to Angela Bancroft, Larissa Boddie and Erin Brennan as top competitors for the women's race. Katie will also be competing. She has been racing and training strong (2nd at Mooseman and 2nd at the Scarborough Triathlon) and expects to do well on Saturday. In fact, she and Angela Bancroft seem to be trading wins lately. Katie beat Angela by seconds at the Mooseman International distance triathlon and June, while Angela took Katie by a few seconds at Scarborough on the shorter distance course.
Should be fun to watch. Check back here on Saturday for Urban Epic Results.
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