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NORWALK, Conn. A pair of former champions returned to the top step of the podium at Sundays Mossman Sprint Triathlon at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk.
Rowaytons Gus Ellison and Stamfords Megan Kelly took home the mens and womens titles in Sundays race, which included a half-mile swim, a 12.5-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run.
Ellison, who won the race in 2010, finished first in 59:21. Matt Art of Ridgefield took second, followed by Peter Eddy of Norwalk. Kelly won in 1:04:38, followed by Colleen Sands and Sydney Michalak. Jessica Fox of Stamford was the fourth women.
I was thrilled with this one, Ellison said. There were some good fast guys. It was a pretty tight race between the first five or 10 guys.
Ellison trailed coming out of the swim, but had the fourth fastest bike split. His time for the 5k, 17:36, was the second fastest among the 531 contestants. He pulled ahead early on in the run and never trailed again. In the back of my mind, I thought there might be someone faster in one of the later waves, Ellison said.
Ellison said winning the 10th edition of the race was particularly meaningful. I wanted to put a good effort into this one, he said. [Race director] Clay Tebbetts has been a good friend. Its kind of special.
Kelly missed last year's race after delivering triplets in May. She won the race in 2009, leading wire-to-wire. Its a favorite of mine, she said. I was bummed when I couldnt compete last year. Its a big local race and I enjoy racing and seeing friends. It was a pretty good field.
Kelly plans to compete in the Greewich Triathlon on July 29 before focusing on the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship. She led Connecticut women in last years race in Burlington, Vt.
Norwalks Lauren Madaffari (20-24), Greenwichs Dawn Newsome (40-44), Greenwich's Joan Lynch (45-49), Old Greenwichs Karen Brown (50-54) and New Canaans Andrea Williamson-Hughes (55-59) won their age groups in the womens division. Westports Jacob Kislevitz (25-29), New Canaans John Wilson (50-54) and Greenwichs Berk Wheeler (55-59) also won their age groups. Complete results are available online.
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