by Doug Kopp

This feature is a continuation of the Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon coverage in the August 2003 issue of Runner Triathlete News. To get all the details on the Ironman qualifier, pick up a copy of the August issue of Runner Triathlete News. Subscribe to RTN today!

JAMES BONNEY- TEN FOR TEN

If the BSLT race would be named after a single individual, James Bonney would have to be the leading candidate.

This year marked the tenth year that the BSLT Half Ironman race was a Hawaii Ironman qualifier. In the ten years, Bonney has finished ten for ten with three overall titles and two other times as the second fastest among the competitors.

Results over the ten years went like this:

1994 - 4th Age Group (20-24 Male) 4:29:58

1995 - 4th Age Group (20-24 Male) 4:31:07

1996 - 1st Age Group (20-24 Male) 4:09:03. Second fastest overall in the race. Only Tim Monaco with a 4:08:39 for the overall win had a faster time than Bonney. Bonney also beat Scott Tinley by 31 seconds.

1997 - 8th Place Pro 4:36:49

1998 - 1st Elite Male 4:12:46. Second fastest overall with only Troy Jacobson at 4:08:19 with a faster time. Jacobson was the overall winner in 1998.

1999 - First Overall Win 4:05:59. One second off the then existing course record set in 1997 by Chuck Veylupek.

2000 - 3rd Elite Male 4:20:19

2001 - 5th Elite Male 4:16:35

2002 - Second Overall Win 4:04:25 (Course Record)

2003 - Third Overall Win 4:19:36

BEWARE OF GOO WRAPS AND RUN AID

USAT officials wrote up over fifty penalties among the BSLT competitors in this year's race.

The majority of the infractions occurred on the bike course with such offenses as blocking, drafting, and riding on the wrong side of the road. However, there were two citations for abandoned equipment. FYI, littered goo wraps are "abandoned equipment" under USAT rules. Surprise, surprise!

Officials also are watching for unauthorized assistance (aid other than at aid stations or by race emergency personnel) on the run. Two citations were noted in this category at the BSLT race. Several USAT officials at the BSLT race also were at the Hawaii Ironman race last year where sixteen violations on run assistance were written up.

Also new - Penalties for not wearing a helmet if you are riding your bike from the parking lot to the transition area before the start of the race AND from the transition area to the parking lot after the race is completed. This was added to meet race insurance liability requirements by the insurers.

Be aware of these new situations. The race may in a way not be over until you've loaded your bike back on to your motor vehicle!