Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Daley places in tough triathlon

It takes stamina, determination and just plain hard work to compete in a triathlon.

And Derek Daley of Los Gatos had all of that and then some when he took part in the San Jose International Triathlon at Lake Almaden.

Daley finished the grueling event in two hours, 15 minutes and 32 seconds to finish 17th in the men's elite division at the rugged event.

How grueling is a triathlon? There is no other sports event like it. Elite competitors begin their competition with a 1.5-kilometer swim and climb out of the water for a 40-kilometer bicycle ride. They will then hop off of their bikes and take off on a 10-kilometer run.

Daley managed to complete all three legs of the triathlon with a strong enough time to place in the top 20 overall.

Among the local placers in the elite class were Marcel Vifian of San Jose, second in 1:59:23; Thomas Carney of San Jose, 12th in 2:07:37; and Daley of Los Gatos, 17th in 2:15:32. Vifian finished more than three minutes behind San Jose Triathlon champion Greg Thompson of Santa Clara, who covered the distance in 1:55:58.

In age-group competition [all the same events, except they have a 1-kilometer swim], top local male finishers included: 16-19 division--Adlar Su of San Jose, first in 2:03:24, and Jamiel Danesh of San Jose, second in 2:09:44; 35-39--Kenny Leader of San Jose, third in 1:57:18; 40-44--Bill Shawhan of Los Gatos, first in 1:58:27, and Patrick Bitter of Los Gatos, second in 2:00:16; 40-49--Tim Lavelle of San Jose, second in 2:06:07; 50-54--Walter Radloff of San Jose, second in 2:06.57; 55-59--Roger Samuelson of Cupertino, first in 2:15:18, and John School of San Jose, third in 2:17:57; 60-64--Richard Alexander of San Jose, first in 2:16:09; 65-69--Ken Nash of San Jose, first in 2:26:39.

In women's age-group competition, top local finishers included: 20-24 division--Helena Kvapil of San Jose, first in 2:14:02, and Rachel McMurtry of San Jose, third in 2:19:07; 35-39--Marty Scott of Los Gatos, third in 2:12:36; 40-44--Lisa Yonaka of Los Gatos, second in 2:16:31, and Shelley Sumner of San Jose, third in 2:18:29; 50-54--Lynne Rosser of Los Gatos, second in 2:42:44.