Top Athletes 2003-2008

In it's short history, the World's Toughest Half has had the privilege of hosting some of the greatest triathletes in the history of the sport.

MALE PROS

Clas Bjorling - Sweden

Clas is known as one of the most fearsome ultradistance runners in the sport, Clas made headlines in 2004 when he turned in an amazing 2:42 run split on his way to runner-up at the 2004 Ironman New Zealand. In 2004, Clas also took 3rd at Ironman Brazil and third at World's Toughest Half. In 2005, Clas set the AIT run course record with a sizzling 1:21.25. On a legit half-marathon course that climbs 1,300', this pace is absolutely amazing. If Clas is anywhere near the front after the bike ride, the leaders best be looking over their shoulders! Clas completed his three year progression with an awesome come-from-behind victory at the 2006 event.

Gordo Byrn - Christchurch, NZ and Canada citizenship

Gordo won the inaugural World's Toughest Half in 2003 on a phenomenally difficult course that dipped down to the American River twice. His 1:35 run split on a course with 2,000' of climbing was one of the best performances ever at the event.

Gordo is a noted coach and author in the multisport world and is the winner of the Hawaii Ultraman world championships in 2002. Ultraman is a 3-day event that is nearly double the distance of the traditional ironman.

Gordo is known for his ‘Epic Camps’ – week-long training camps where unfathomable training mileage is accumulated. After World’s Toughest Half 2003 he rode his bike from Las Vegas to Boulder, CO….Gordo achieved a breakthrough performance in the 2003 Ironman Canada event, placing second amidst some of the world’s top ironman racers. He confirmed his stature as a top-10 world-ranked ultra athlete with an outstanding 4th place at Ironman New Zealand in March. Check out www.gordoworld.com for a refreshing new perspective on training and triathlon life.

Tim DeBoom - Lyons, Colorado

Tim is a two-time Hawaii Ironman world champion and the undisputed greatest American triathlete of the past decade. Formerly a top contender at Olympic distance, DeBoom turned his attention to the ironman distance and methodically worked his way up the ranks to become the dominant force in the world. Check out this chronological progression of Hawaii Ironman finishes up to 2002: 10th, 21st, 11th, 10th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 1st!

Known for his focused preparation, Tim races infrequently and is extremely difficult to beat whenever he steps on the starting line. His back to back victories in Hawaii in 2001 and 2002 established Tim as one of the all-time triathlon greats. In particular, his victory in the October 2001 Hawaii Ironman was the first international sporting event after the 9/11 tragedies. Over 30,000 spectators in Hawaii witness this emotional and uniting sporting effort, the first American victory in 6 years at the most pretigious race in triathlon.

• 2008 - World's Toughest Half champion
• 2001 Ironman USA Lake Placid champion
• 7x NORBA National Mtb champion

Josiah Middaugh - Vail, CO

With Josiah's 3rd place finish (first American) at the 2005 World's Toughest Half/National Professional Long Course Championships, he became the first athlete ever to simultaneously hold professional national titles both on the road and off road at the same time. He is a terror off-road, claiming the XTERRA USA National Professional Championship title in only his second year as a professional. Josiah is also an two-time national champion Snowshoe Racer!

His breakthrough 2004 season included victories at the XTERRA Central Championship in Keystone Colorado, third in the XTERRA West Championship, first in the XTERRA Canada Championship, and third overall and first American at the XTERRA USA Championship, earning him the title of XTERRA USA National Champion.

He capped off his seasxon with his outstanding third overall and first American at the XTERRA World Championship, posting the fastest bike split in the field as he did at nationals.

• 1st 2005 World's Toughest Half
• 2nd in World Championships ITU long distance race triathlon 2000
• 2nd Ironman of South Africa 2005
• 4th in Ironman de France 2003, 2004
• 1st in the Triathlon Embrunman 2003 (France)

Victor Plata

One of the top American pros for nearly a decade beginning in the late '90's, Victor won the '07 World's Toughest Half on his first visit to Auburn. Victor was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team, and will compete in the 2008 Olympic Trials. He has over 40 podium finishes in his career, was ranked 4th in the world for four months in 2005 and is an 8-time member of the USA Elite National Team. Victor founded Team KINeSYS Professional Triathlon Team, which incorporated a team approach to triathlon. 

Jonathan Toker, Ph.D. - Canadian residing in Thousand Oaks, CA

Jonathan set the bike course record holder on the old Foresthill course in 2003, when he torched the field to enjoy a 6-minute lead. He held on for a second place finish last year. Has a PhD in Chemistry from Scripps Institute in San Diego and a 9:18 Ironman finish in Canada 2003. He is the inventor of the Salt Stick.

Simon Whitfield – Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Simon became the first-ever Olympic gold medalist in triathlon with his dramatic, come-from-behind victory in the inaugural Olympic Games Triathlon in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. Simon is a fixture on the international ITU World Cup triathlon circuit, a series of drafting-legal races that lead to the Olympics. This is his first attempt at a long course event in over a decade.

Simon commented, “I’m looking forward to a 2005 season devoted to new challenges at unique and interesting triathlons like Auburn International. I’ve heard exciting reports about the tough course, incredible scenery and overall positive experiences of many athletes. I look forward to doing my first half-iron distance race in over a decade on May 21 in the Endurance Capital of the World!

Nicole DeBoom - Lyons, CO:
Our defending champion from 2004 and 2005, Nicole is one of America’s finest female triathletes and versatile at all triathlon distances. She tore up the USA Olympic distance circuit in 2003, with five victories and three runner-ups in prestigious events like Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles.

Nicole commented on her love of the Auburn event, "We are very excited to support a race that gets back to what triathlon is about...guts and toughness, the strongest person on the day wins. I love to support the World's Toughest Half as it becomes a true world-class event." Check out her new business of performance skirts for women: www.skirtsports.com

Gina Kehr, USA

Gina turned in a outstanding performance winning the 2007 Auburn International Tri (6th overall), one of her first tuneup events after her remarkable 4th overall finish at the 2006 Hawaii Ironman World Championships. Gina took a couple seasons off the circuit to have a child and then shocked the triathlon world with her 4th place, at age 37, against the world's top full time professionals. She balances a real estate career and caring for her young daughter with a more sensible and balanced approach to training that has paid incredible dividends. Gina is a great role model for how to balance hard training with proper rest and a healthy perspective about endurance athletics.

Marilyn McDonald, Canada:

Marilyn returned to defend her 2004 runner-up position with another runner-up finish in 2005. Coached by Scott Molina, had an awesome breakthrough performance in February 2004, winning Ironman Malaysia in a time of 10 hours, 24 minutes. In 2003, she placed 13th overall in 10:39 at Ironman Canada, a fantastic performance for her first attempt at Ironman distance.

TRIATHLON LEGENDS

Tim Sheeper – Menlo Park, CA

Founder of the hugely popular Team Sheeper Triathlon Team in the SF Bay Area and So. Cal, Tim is one of the most popular triathlon coaches in the world. With his over 20 years of coaching masters swimming, Team in Training and Team Sheeper, Tim has personally coached more triathletes than anyone in the history of the sport.

During his pro career, Tim amassed 10 victories and a top-20 Hawaii Ironman finish. Known for being one of the most fearsome cyclists in the sport, Tim can still compete respectably in the professional ranks even with his busy schedule leading the Team Sheeper phenomenon.

Dan Empfield - aka 'Slowman', Valerymo, CA

Dan is perhaps the premier entreprenuer in the world of multisport, inventory of the 'speed wetsuit' - Quintana Roo in 1987, and the "tri-specific racing bike" with Quintana Roo in 1989. Today Dan is the editor and publisher of the popular on-line triathlon news and commentary web site 'Slowtwitch.com'. Dan was recently inducted into the Triathlon Hall of Fame at the Competitor of the Year Awards in San Diego.

Pete Kain – Cupertino, CA

Pete is the founder and Head Coach of Kain Performance Multi-Sport. He has been actively involved in the sport of triathlon for 20 years, as both an athlete and coach. He is a 3-Time World Age Group Triathlon Champion and a 6-Time National Age Group Champion. In 2002, he was named the USA Triathlon Overall Open Male, "Triathlete of the Year" and named one of the top 10 physiques in sports from Men's Health&Fitness magazine. Pete has participated in over 160 Multi-Sport races and has won over 30 times!

Andrew MacNaughton – Thousand Oaks, CA

MacNaughton is a former top professional triathlete making a comeback for masters competition. Last year, after 10 years of inactivity, MacNaughton placed an outstanding 5th at the World’s Toughest Half Ironman. With another year of training under his belt, MacNaughton is looking to challenge the top professionals. Andrew is known for his outstanding bike abilities, particularly on hilly courses. Some of his bike course records still stand 17 years later.

Feature Story on Andrew's Comeback

Mark Montgomery – Valeyrmo, CA

Monty’s career as a professional triathlete dates back further than anyone. By the early 80’s, Mark – a Redondo Beach lifeguard - was well-known in Southern California for winning early ‘triathlon relay’ events overall – beating all relay teams in the special ‘ironman’ division. He remained competitive on the pro circuit for over a dozen years and was known as one of the most fearsome cyclists in the sport. A fixture on the San Diego scene, any workout with Monty present was certain to b challenging. With over two dozen victories on the pro circuit, Mark is firmly established as a founding fathers and one of the most successful and prolific athletes in the history of the sport.

Scott Miller - Reno, NV

Scott (pictured on the left in his classic "poster quality" sprint finish with Pete Kain) is one of the old-time legends of triathlon, with a career spanning over 40 years and a wide range of distinctions. Scott is the only endurance athlete in history to complete the Western States 100 mile run in under 24 hours (21:08) and the Hawaii Ironman triathlon in under 10 hours (9:34) in the same year, 1988. He is a 6x Hawaii Ironman finisher with a 9:34 PR. Currently a school teacher in the Reno area, Scott is a native of Auburn.

He has national age group titles at Ironman and half-iron distances, was 2nd master at the 2001 National Olympic distance championships and the first triathlete to be sponsored by the Grateful Dead musical group. Space restrictions prevent additional accolades from being printed.

• 2005 - 2nd, 40-44 Age Group
• 2007 - 2nd, 45-49 Age Group

NOTABLE AMATEURS

Richard Clark - Tiburon, CA

This 66-year-old wonder is one of the fiercest competitors on the senior circuit, racing all over the place at all distances and routinely beating athletes half his age. Richard is a 12-time Ironman distance age group champion, including three Hawaii Ironman World Age Group Championship titles.

Richard's list of accomplishments in the sport make him one of the most decorated age groupers in history. Sorry folks, no more using your age as a performance excuse! Check out Rich's record after starting in triathlons at age 55 with no previous athletic experience:

Dennis ‘Fat Boy’ Villavicencio - Carlsbad, CA

Although missing his spirited sidekick, Allan "Scrawny Boy" Villavicencio, Dennis will post a time for Alan to shoot for next year.

These brothers engage in an ongoing long battle for the honor of claiming who is fitter – doctors or lawyers. The Villavicencio brothers, Dennis (an attorney from Carlsbad, CA, aka Fat Boy) and Alan (a physician from Boulder, CO, aka Scrawny Boy) have raced each other many times and always produce a close, exciting finish. At the 2002 Utah Ironman, they exchanged leads five times, discussed finishing together but instead sprinted to the finish where Scrawny Boy enjoyed a 10-second victory. Their difference in places (43rd and 44th overall) decided the final qualifying spot for the prestigious Hawaii Ironman. At the Big Sur Trail Marathon in October of 2003, Fat Boy left Scrawny Boy on the final hill to finish third overall. Both agree their race in Auburn could be decided on the Dam Wall – the 700 foot vertical climb to the finish in the final 1.7 miles of the run. Both brothers are committed first to their clients and patients respectively and enjoy triathlons and long-distance trail runs for fun and entertainment. Their healthy competitive attitudes make these passionate competitors ideal role models for all amateur athletes.

Kirk Koester – Loomis, CA

Kirk was our youngest competitor in 2004 and received numerous accolades in the Auburn area for his athletic exploits. He played varsity soccer and volleyball for Del Oro high school and also has coached youth runners and volleyball players. He has placed tops in his age group at numerous local triathlons and completed the 140-mile Superstar Loop at the 2003 World’s Toughest Century. Kirk currently attends the University of Nevada at Reno majoring in Civil Engineering. In 2005 he won the USA Half Championships in Kansas City and won his age group at Vineman Full distance in his first attempt.

• 2004 - 1st, 19&U Age Group
• 2005 - 1st, 19&U Age Group
• 2007 - 1st collegian, Auburn Int' Triathlon

Tim Twietmeyer – Auburn, CA

The legendary ultrarunner has anchored the winning Relay Team in 2003 and 2004 with partners Sandy Amara and Roberto Moteleygrinderini. No one knows the Western States trail better than Tim. He has 23 consecutive sub-24 hour performances at Western States 100 mile run and is a 5-time champion.

In January of 2004, Tim made history by completing a winter crossing of the Sierra on foot. Starting from Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe, Tim and three others used snowshoes for 17 hours and ran the final 9 hours to reach Auburn in 26 hours. It was the first crossing on foot over the Sierra in 150 years.