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Logan won the overall race in 54:43.2. Heilman won the women’s division in 1:01:29. Both athletes worked diligently during the winter and spring, and were rewarded with early-season payoffs. Complete results are online.
“It was a goal to win a triathlon this year,’’ said Logan, who has competed in a several events already this year. “Last year I was third overall but wound up eighth because of a penalty. That would’ve been my first top three finish. There was another timing snafu this year, and I thought ‘Oh no, not two years in a row!’ Winning was the last thing that was missing. It was nice to actually be able to do it.”
Heilmann echoed Logan’s sentiments. “I was hoping that this year I would be winning and getting into the top three,’’ she said. “I think the winter training paid off.”
Logan was 18th emerging from the opening leg, a half-mile swim. He made up ground on the 10-mile bike ride, and battled defending champion Joseph Turcsanyi in the closing 5k. Logan ran 16:16 in the closing 5k, the fourth best time of the 260 finishers.
“We both made a couple of surges and I was able to hold him off,’’ Logan said of Turcsanyi, who finished 28 seconds behind. “My new sponsor, Forte Gelato, was there and he had his whole family there. It was an exciting race.”
Heilmann, the mother of two boys ages 3 and 5, said she devotes two hours each day to training while her children attend school. “It’s getting a little easier,’’ said Heilmann, who represented race sponsor Trifitness of Fairfield. “I made it my job to train during those two hours. I completely fill that block of time with training. I think I’ve improved in all three phases. My strength is the bike and the run. My swim has improved, but it’s still not fantastic.”
Both athletes have quite a few events over the next few months, but are hoping to peak for the world championships.
“I’ve been doing triathlons for about nine years, and this was my 65th one,’’ he said. “I was in the back when I started, and over the years it gets better. After being so close a couple of times, it’s nice to get a win.”
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