Middaugh wins Xterra World Championship

By Stan Lee

Nov. 2, 2015

COURTESY XTERRA
Josiah Middaugh celebrated his first Xterra World Championship title after 15 attempts in the off-road triathlon event. Photo courtesy of Xterra.

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KAPALUA, Maui » Josiah Middaugh and Flora Duffy won the men’s and women’s titles at Sunday’s Xterra World Championship.

It’s the first championship for Middaugh after 15 attempts. The 37-year-old from Eagle-Vail, Colo., finished in 2 hours, 35 minutes, 32 seconds. He is the first American to win since Michael Tobin in 2000. Braden Currie of New Zealand finished second in 2:38:30 and Ruben Ruzafa of Spain was third in 2:40:40.

Duffy, a 28-year old from Devonshire, Bermuda, repeated as the women’s champion with a time of 2:54:17. She has been undefeated in five races this season. Lesley Paterson of Scotland was second in 2:59:16 and Emma Garrard of Utah was third in 3:03:28. Both winners received $20,000.

Over 800 endurance athletes from 43 countries participated in the off-road triathlon that features a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 20-mile mountain bike ride and a 6.5-mile trail run.

Sergio Florian was the top Hawaii finisher, placing 26th in the men’s 35-39 division with a time of 3:26:28. Ed Fattoumy of Honolulu won the challenged athletes division for the 10th time by finishing in 3:47:13. Bruce Wacker of Kona won the men’s 65-69 division in 4:17:58. Wendy Minor of Kamuela won the women’s 70-74 division in 6:17:18 for her 8th XTERRA championship.