Courtesy: USAT

Nine U.S. age group athletes won gold medals and U.S. elite Joe Umphenour placed fourth at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Aquathlon World Championships on Sunday in Cancun, Mexico.

The aquathlon championships consisted of a 2.5k run, a 1k swim and a 2.5k run. The event took place in the Playa Langosta beach area of Cancun.

Kris Gemmel (New Zealand) won the men's elite race in a time of 29 minutes, 35 seconds. Andrey Glushchenko (Ukraine) was second and Filip Osspaly (Czech Republic) was third.

Umphenour (Belleview, Wash.) put in a strong second run to place fourth in 30:00. Umphenour will also compete in the elite race at the ITU Triathlon World Championships on Sunday in Cancun.

Sandra Soldan (Brazil) won the women's elite race in 33:12. Jill Savege (Canada) was second and Lenka Radova (Czech Republic) was third. Patrice Carroll (Knoxville, Tenn.) was the top U.S. women's finisher in 10th. Siri Lindley (Boulder, Colo.), last year's world champion, did not compete this year.

The U.S. female age groupers were led by national age group champion Julie Swail (Irvine, Calif.), who won the female 30-34 age group in 35:40. Among the U.S. men, Michael Collins (Newport Beach, Calif.) had the best time, as he won the male 35-39 age group in 34:22.

Other U.S. age group gold medalists were Lisa Kirsch (Winter Springs, Fla.; F20-24), Jane Esahak-Gage (Phoenix, Ariz.; F40- 44), Diane Proud (Irving, Texas; F50-54), Ruth Hertzberg (Copper Mountain, Colo.; F70-plus), Todd Menzel (Newport Beach, Calif.; M30-34), Fred Bartlett Jr. (Narragansett, R.I.; M45-49) and Judge Jones (Pelham, N.H.; M50-54).

Those U.S. age groupers who won silver medals were Michele Pollio (Philadelphia, Pa.; F35-39), Kathleen Johnston (Nashville, Tenn.; F40-44), Terry Latham (Albuquerque, N.M.; F45- 49), Richard Sumrall (Naylor, Ga.; M35-39) and Dan Neyenhuis (Corona Del Mar, Calif.; M55-59).

U.S. bronze medalists were Kelly Parker (Hampton, Va.; F40-44) and Karen Mastro (San Dimas, Calif.; F45-49).