Ketchum's indomitable Charley French, 80 years young Thursday, Aug. 3, was an inspiration to his fellow triathloners Saturday on a hot day for the 20th annual, 31.9-mile Burley Lions Club Spudman Triathlon.
French, 79, won the individual men's 65-and-over class with a finishing time of two hours, 43 minutes and 35 seconds. The 51.5-kilometer course featured a 1.5k swim, 40k (24.8-mile) bicycle ride and 10k run.
His splits were 18:52 swim, 1.17:04 bike and 1.03:19 run.
Eight Wood River Valley triathletes joined the field of 1,400. Six brought home trophies including French. Individual winners were Kelly Williamson, 36, of Boise in 1.48:50 and Charity Vernon, 24, of Salt Lake City, Utah 2.12:56 (55th).
"Team Crawford" consisting of swimmer Terry Crawford (15:56), bicyclist Bill Gundy (1.16:21) and runner Derrick May (40:52) won its 138-and-over combined ages division with a time of 2.15:06, 67th place out of all athletes and teams.
Sue Gundy, 51, placed third in the women's 50-54 class at 2.39:59, 404th overall, with splits of 19:35, 1.15:41 and 59:22.
Dave Gundy, 28, was sixth in men's 25-29 and 51st overall at 2.12:40 with splits of 15:24, 1.06:22 and 47:23. Travis Soppe, 25, was 17th in the same class at 2.23:39 and 144th overall with splits of 16:00, 1.10:21 and 53:44. And Chase Barnes, 26, placed 28th in men's 25-29 at 2.29:16, 223rd overall, with splits of 17:21, 1.13:29 and 54:32.
One finisher was 2006 U.S. Olympic alpine skier Steven Nyman, 24, of Orem, Utah. Nyman, a two-time national downhill king, was 63rd overall and third in men's 19-24 with a final finishing time of 2.14:04.
