Back in early January in Luxor, Egypt, the Alameda o.n. Triathlon Team was launched and its most popular member is former 70.3 and IRONMAN World Champion Leanda Cave.
Cave, who has a house in Boulder and who trains in Colorado a good portion of the year, is a pro we will always claim as a Coloradan!
The team website states that its goal “is to help support young up-and-coming triathletes from the Arab region to achieve their true potential in the sport and to unearth the future world and Olympic champions. Looks like they have a great ambassador in Cave to help them on their way!
Tim Don and Rachel Joyce at the Team Bravo launch
Another new team with some recognizable faces is the The Bravo Team, which is sponsored by Coca-Cola, and just launched last month in Brazil at the Triathlon International Santos Olympic-distance race on March 1.
The Colorado members of The Bravo Team include Boulderites Rachel Joyce, Tim Don, and Paul Matthews. Craig Alexander, who will always be a Boulderite in our heart and who will hopefully be a local come this summer, is also a driving member of this team.
Not shockingly, the members that competed in the Brazil-based triathlon on March 1 came out with guns blazing for this sprint race with Alexander finishing second and Don finishing fourth while Joyce placed an impressive third on the women’s side.
Rachel Joyce at Triathlon International Santos
The resumes of these four athletes alone could inspire the biggest couch potato to swim, bike, run and we are proud of them for being chosen for this unique team experience.
Back in Boulder
Many consider Boulder the Mecca of triathlon training and, if you spent one day driving around town, you might think there is a triathlon in motion as the many cyclists and runners pass you by.
This time of the year is when many part-time Colorado athletes begin to trickle back after their hiatus to somewhere snow and iceless.
Leon Griffin wins Challenge Melbourne 70.3
Arriving back in town as a new dad is Aussie pro Leon Griffin. Griffin went back to Australia last fall to catch the summer months and so that his wife, Merridee, could be close to family to give birth to their first child.
Although we haven’t seen Griffin around Boulder in the last few months, he’s been anything but quiet on the racing front, winning Challenge Melbourne and taking second place at IRONMAN 70.3 Auckland Asia Pacific Championships.
Also back in town are the pro husband and wife duo of Tyler and Nikki Butterfield. After a stint in Australia, the couple is now back up in the mountains of Boulder, with their two kiddos. Welcome back, everyone!
Oh Baby
Leon Griffin and son Harry
It’s raining babies out here in the Colorado pro community and cute ones at that!
IRONMAN Mallorca Champion Tim Don, his wife Kelly, and their four year old daughter Matilda welcomed baby Hugo to the family on Christmas Eve. What a cute gift!
Just a day earlier, Leon and Merridee Griffin became first time parents to baby Harrison, or “Harry” as they call him. No matter what his name, he’s quite a looker!
Rounding out the December Boulder baby brigade is Australian pro Paul “Barney” Matthews and his wife Hillary welcoming their adorable baby girl, Emerson, who actually beat the baby boys into the world a little earlier in the month.
Christine Hammond on a 10 mile run
Some Colorado triathletes are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little bundles of joy. Boulder pro Christine Hammond, who is still managing 10 mile runs and making it look easy, will be welcoming her baby this summer.
Another Boulder baby making an appearance this year will belong to pro Patrick Evoe (yes, I am pregnant!) who’s expecting a son in mid-September. I can barely manage three miles, which shows just how in shape these women pros really are even while toting a baby along for the ride. This mom-to-be is impressed. You are amazing, Christine!
It’s safe to say these that all of little bundles of joy are going to have some seriously athletic genes…watch out Kona 2035!
Taking Training Abroad
Joe Gamble’s view while riding up Rocacorba
Joe Gambles, his wife Sage, and their dog Cooper are off in a town right outside Girona, Spain for the year so that Joe can train in the beautiful Spanish countryside.
Known for some stellar climbing areas, Spain isn’t too sore on the eyes either.
Check out the photo Joe took while doing a training ride up Rocacorba.
Even if Joe isn’t there solely for the siestas and the Gaudi exhibits, we are pretty sure he will have some fun while getting ready to display his talent this race season.
When she isn’t writing about the exploits of Colorado’s pro triathletes, Megan Evoe works with student-athletes at the University of Colorado as a Learning Specialist. Before coming to Boulder, Megan spent a decade teaching in Illinois and Texas while coaching soccer and cross country. Her passion for athletics stems from her collegiate days of playing soccer at Illinois State University where she twice earned All-Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Team honors. She holds a BA in English and Kinesiology, as well as an MA in Education. She has run over 20 marathons, including the Boston Marathon six times and an ultra-marathon, and has completed five triathlons, including IRONMAN 70.3 Austin. The sport of triathlon has brought many valuable pieces to Megan’s life, such as traveling, great friends, and an appetite for competition. Megan is married to professional triathlete Patrick Evoe.
