by John Welch

This feature is a continuation of the Y100 Boerne Triathlon coverage in the August issue of Runner Triathlete News. For the complete scoop on all the exciting action from the Y100 Boerne Triahtlon, check out the August issue of Runner Triathlete News. Subscribe to RTN today!

Y100 Boerne Triathlon Photo Gallery

William Shakespeare wrote it for his famous play, King Richard III: "A horse! A horse! my kingdom for a horse!"

James Bonney could certainly coin a similar phrase from the Y100 Boerne Triathlon on July 6 after leading the race and flatting with five miles to go in the race: "A tire! A tire! my kingdom for a tire!"

For Austinite Bonney, he'd also have to have a new disc wheel thrown in following only his second loss in his eighth start in the popular Boerne race. But Bonney, a 31-year-old web designer and professional triathlete with a plethora of wins in Texas and other states, took the loss to fellow Austinite Rip Esselstyn, 40, in stride following the event. Esselstyn crossed the line with a victorious "Hook 'em Horns" salute to the crowd of camp followers and well-wishers in the time of 1:56:44.

Bonney did grab second (1:57:59), with Austin's Brandon Marsh, 28, making it a one-two-three sweep (1:58:06).

"These things do happen," Bonney said. "But now I'll have to shell out some money for a new disc wheel."

The tire was indeed a goner, but according to Bonney, so was the wheel after he rode it trying in vain to hold off Esselstyn for the overall elite division win and $500 in prize money.

"At least I won $250 for second, so that'll help offset some of the expense of the new wheel," Bonney related. "The tire just started to disintegrate, and the wheel wasn't far behind, either. I really had to take it easy going around the turns, because it was pretty dangerous riding in the rain."

Esselstyn didn't mind dodging the rain, the mud and the hazards, which befell Bonney. And he also acknowledged that Bonney would have taken the title had he not flatted.

"James would definitely have won, had it not been for the flat," Esselstyn, an Austin firefighter, said. "But I really didn't mind the conditions, because the strength I've gained from doing off-road triathlons definitely came in handy here today."

In the women's race, the rain and despicable course conditions were no less forgiving.

Chris Kimbrough, 33, of Austin, finished first in the women's elite field in 2:11:44, after early leader Terra Castro, 22, of Austin, also flatted on the bike. And like Esselstyn, Kimbrough also pocketed $500 for her victory.

Sharon Sander, 41, of San Antonio, who finished fourth in the 2000 Olympic Trials in modern pentathlon, was second at 2:13:50. University of Texas senior Shae Rainer, 23, of Austin, finished third in 2:15:29.

"This was a good race for me, considering that this is my first year to race in the elite division," said Kimbrough, who is a stay at home mom. "I think I had the fastest run, because I passed everyone ahead of me after I exited the water."

This event served as the USA Triathlon South-MidWest Regional Championships, and drew over 500 competitors from six states.