Race Begins with 400

Mountain bikers aren't supposed to be able to run, swim and bike. That theory lost some of its air last year at these XTERRA championships when mountain biking legend Ned Overend shocked some of the world's best triathletes by winning his first event. Serving notice that the skinny-tired crowd would have to learn the knobby ways or miss out on the $82,000 purse in this growing sport, Team Specialized rider Overend rubbed it in again this year, winning for the second time in a row.

"I came here to win, but I worked harder than any race this year – not only in preparation, but in the actual race..." — Ned Overend

And this year he had company from his days of NORBA and World Cup mountain bike racing in Polo Sport team member Shari Kain who, after back surgery and a long rehabilitation, came back to the race she loves by winning the women's division a short time later. With a field of Ironman champions and some of the most fit athletes imaginable, the 4th annual XTERRA championships brought a record number of entrants and exciting racing here to Maui.

Overend, the 1990 World Champion mountain biker who, at 44, is quickly becoming a legend in his newly adopted sport, dominated Sunday's heated battle by taking the lead in the mountain bike leg after exiting the water in 49th position. And he had company, as a full roster of 400 competitors – both pro and amateur – jockeyed for position in the 1.5km ocean swim.

"I didn't know where I was on the swim, so I just time-trialed it, right on the edge, which worked out," Overend said after his win. "I came here to win, but I worked harder than any race this year – not only in preparation, but in the actual race."

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By holding off overall points winner Michael Tobin in the water (by just one position), Overend hammered his way to a minute's lead by the mountain bike leg's mid-point. The 30km-long mountain bike course is brutal, full of jagged, exposed rocks on the lower reaches of the 10,000 foot-high Haleakala volcano in southern Maui. Overend dug deep, holding off Tobin and eventual bronze medalist Jimmy Riccitello under the hot tropical sun.

With a several minute gap on the field going into the run, Overend changed into his running shoes, put his head down and drove forward through soft sandy beaches, rocky, wooded trails and even a precarious rock outcropping before making the final run to the finish line.

"I didn't know the lead – I couldn't see him, but with Michael that isn't enough," he said. "He had me running scared right to the last beach."

"Right now I still can't catch my breath. I knew I had to have a lead starting the run, and just went on the edge and didn't turn around... until the last couple beaches."

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With his win, Overend finishes the 10-race XTERRA series in 4th overall, while Michael Tobin – who won every race he entered this season – earns $10,000 for his efforts. Overend took home $3,000 for his win at the championships.

While the top men were racing for the win up front, the women raced within the group for their overall series points and placings. Last year, Shari Kain, who finished 18th at this year's mountain bike Worlds in Sweden, couldn't even dream of a top finish as she built up her strength after back surgery. Last year it was Polo Sport teammate Lesley Tomlinson who took the top finish for the mountain bike crowd, but this year it was all Shari.

"This was a very difficult race because I love it so much and it's at the end of my mountain bike season," said Kain after her win. "When that season ended, I took a break, I have to. Then, beginning in October, I started to get some runs and swims in, and not be intimidated...and to know that I'm a strong athlete."

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Kain, who, as the top woman, was 34th across the finish line, beat second place finisher and series champion Kerstin Weule by approximately two minutes – knowing that the women's field improves every year. A couple minutes later, Australian Jody Purcell finished for 3rd place of the day, as well as for the overall series.

So did Kain, who like Overend was the dominant mountain biker in her field, win the race in the dirt? Yes and no.

"I didn't have a strong mountain bike ride," Kain said. "I could tell from years past – I wasn't able to get my anaerobic threshold, so I tried to be patient and efficient in the whole course."

But like Overend, Kain did win the decisive mountain bike leg.

"I caught Jody right at the top of the final descent, and it was not very far to the finish. She had been tough and holding her own, so on the descent I just let it go and thought I was flying. Then all of a sudden she rides up next to me and says 'I know this isn't very appropriate, but could I have some of your water please?' And I'm all 'ahh! I thought I dropped you!' Then I attacked again. The women are really coming on strong."

With Purcell now relegated to a chase, Kain maintained her speed to win her first XTERRA, thanks in part to husband and athlete Peter Kain (who finished nearly six minutes behind his wife).

"I've been working my body in every different aspect... cyclo-cross training, I did one local race, and trying not to overwork myself or re-injure my back," she continued. "I did a couple local triathlons; in Santa Cruz I got third overall and, in Oceanside, Peter and I both won amateur overall. That was another boost. I think a lot is mental and tenacity."

"But it was a hard-earned win for sure, and I'm so excited to win."

The XTERRA series will campaign its American tour again next year, with new international dates planned as well.

— Ari Cheren, living la vida aloha for MountainZone.com