Athletes at Altitude: Evoe, Manocchio Top International Podiums
Pat Evoe, Bree Wee and IRONMAN Japan race director

Athletes at Altitude: Evoe, Manocchio Top International Podiums

Evoe Executes in Japan

Pat Evoe, Bree Wee and IRONMAN Japan race director
Pat Evoe, Bree Wee and IRONMAN Japan race director

It’s no secret that I love writing about all of the Colorado-based triathletes, especially since many are my friends, neighbors, or I have had the pleasure of interviewing or meeting them at a race. However, getting to write about my husband is not only easy, as far as getting the inside race scoop, but is also a lot of fun, especially when his race goes well.

About two months ago, Evoe crossed the finish line at IRONMAN Coeur D’Alene disappointed with his 11th place finish and was ready to have a good race in Hokkaido where the tough IRONMAN Japan course awaited.

“I was really happy with my bike and run today,” Evoe said. “Since I didn’t swim like I wanted to, I knew I had one card to play and that was to bike and run hard.”

Evoe started off in rough waters when he turned in a swim time of 59:45 and found himself coming into T1 with seven guys already ahead of him on their bikes. Luckily for Evoe, the extremely difficult bike course, up through the mountains with technical descents, played to his strengths as he began to pass his competitors.

Evoe and Wee take second in the men's and women's races, respectively
Evoe and Wee take second in the men’s and women’s races, respectively

“The bike and run course here were harder than any of the other 30 IRONMAN races I have ever done. This bike course definitely exposed everyone’s weakness. There was no place to hide out there and everyone had to work to finish. It was definitely a tough, fair course,” Evoe added.

By the time Evoe dismounted the bike in T2, he had clawed his way into striking position for the podium thanks to executing the third fastest bike split of the day, 5:14:27, to position himself in third place off of the bike. Evoe said he felt good as he laced up his running shoes and began to track down leader Swen Sundberg and second place racer Yu Shinozaki.

“By mile six of the run, I had moved into second place. At the turnaround at mile 8, I had figured out that I was only four minutes down from Swen; and by mile 16, I had cut his lead to three minutes. However, by mile 18, I began to struggle and give some time back to Swen, which I knew wouldn’t be good. I knew it was a matter of maintaining my current pace and hanging on to second place.”

Evoe in a kimono
Evoe in a kimono

Evoe not only held on to second place on the day, but he also turned in the fastest run time of the day, 3:08:29, for an overall time of 9:28:14. It was about an hour slower than his normal time, but nothing he’s sweating since the bike and run course were extremely hard.

Overall winner Sundberg, who finished in 9:22:56, told IRONMAN.com that “I have raced many tough cycle courses, including IRONMAN Lanzarote, and this is definitely the most challenging that I have ever done!”

Rounding out the podium was New Zealand’s Simon Cochrane, who led the men out of the water and hung on towards the end of the run to grab third place in 9:31:56. Thiago Vinhal, who left Brazil to train in Boulder this summer with Team Bravo, sponsored by Coca-Cola, was having a great day on the bike until he took a wrong turn that took him quite a way out of town, and ultimately out of the race. Vinhal decided at that point to call it a day, but we look forward to seeing him out and racing soon!

“I was really ready to have a great race. Now I am glad I can come home and get ready to adjust to the new part of my life that’s on its way,” Evoe said.

Evoe on the podium
Evoe on the podium

That adjustment Evoe is talking about is our son that is on his way! We were exactly three weeks out from the due date of our first child and I cannot tell you how many times Pat said to me, “Maybe I shouldn’t go to IRONMAN Japan.” I know this was out of the fear of missing the birth, but I felt like we had a strong safety net at three weeks out. I feel pretty lucky to know in my heart he would have missed this race, one he was really looking forward to, if it made me feel better. Thanks for thinking of me and the baby, but we are happy we shoved you out the door to have a great race experience!

Manocchio Reigns in Copenhagen

Brazilian pro Guilherme Valenza Manocchio, who trained with Team Bravo this summer in Boulder, literally ran away with the win at IRONMAN Copenhagen. After a strong swim, 48:16, and bike, 4:26:43, it all came down to the run.

Thanks to Manocchio’s fastest run split of the day, 2:54:15, he was able to chase down the seven minute deficit to the leader, and eventually gain the lead around the 10 mile mark. Manocchio never looked back and took the win with an overall time of 8:14:56. Congrats and we hope to see you back in Colorado soon!

Megan Evoe

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.