This was the largest A-to-A with 478 entrants. It's about individual accomplishment, and an overwhelming majority of you reached your goal to finish your chosen distance -- 83% completed the 86 miles, 89% completed the 38 miles. Congratulations to all who strapped on their skates and gave it a try!
It was a photo finish for 1st place between Marcel Oosten of Holland and Tristan Loy of France. In the end, it was Marcel Oosten. The Dutch maintain their dominance among international competitors in Athens-to-Atlanta. The top four men, Oosten, Loy, Roelof Compagner of Holland, and Vince O'Connell (age 41!) of Plainfield, Mass. bested the record time of 4:25:25 set last year by favorite Eddy Matzger of Berkeley, CA. Matzger, a 4-time winner of A-to-A, finished 7th overall, in the chase pack six minutes behind the two Europeans. Matzger experienced the bane of all champions -- a concerted effort by the pack to hold him back. He tried all morning in vain to organize the Americans to challenge the Europeans. 1995 champions Jonathan Webster and Micah Martin were victims of this disorganization, both dropping out with less than 10 miles to the finish.
In the women's 86 mile event, it was Tara Peterson of Tigard, OR, with a time of 4:56:59, out-sprinting Naomi Shechter of Philadelphia, PA and Marcia Yager (age 41!) of Cincinnati, OH. This was the first year any women have finished under 5 hours. The top five women broke last year's women's record of 5:08:57 set by Barrie Hartman of New York City. Hartman finished 4th overall woman this year.
A drama unfolded for a teen from Cumming, Georgia's GT Speed team. Philip Sutherland, 17, suffered a loose frame early in the day. After stopping to tighten his frame, Sutherland caught the lead pack, and finished in a chase pack with a time of 4:42:57, outsprinting his speedskating idol and world 24-hour record holder Uwe Brockmann (1987, 1988 champion), age 33, of Stone Mountain, GA.
16-year-old Chrissy Miller of Painesville, OH, set an 86 mile age division record for 13-17 women with a time of 5:28:44. Miller is only the second 13-17 woman in the event's history to complete the 86 miles. The first was Amy Morrill of Alpharetta, GA, in 1996, with a time of 5:51.
A new 70+ age division was created for John Burton of Wayzata, MN, age 74, who skated the 38 miles in a very respectable 3:35:52.
A 10-year-old, Jonathan Gorman of Roswell, GA, from the Roswell Speed Team, set a 38 mile division record for 12 & under men with a time of 2:32:12.
Silver Hill, the infamous double-diamond downhill, was monitored by police radar equipment. the top speed recorded was 48 mph!!
This year, all major intersections were controlled by police officers, which resulted in consistently faster times. Skaters universally appreciated the seventy officers in five counties who were hired by event producers. Thank you to all the cooperating police departments and their officers:
A video of this year's event will be available in December for $24.95 (CA residents add 8 1/2% sales tax) from InLine America LLC, 2114 Lombard St., San Francisco, CA 94123. Orders may be faxed with VISA/MasterCard number to (415) 674-9193.
Make plans now to attend the 1998 Athens-to-Atlanta on Sunday, October 4, 1998. Reservations at the $30 entry fee are being accepted now through June 30, 1998. Send the fee with your name, address, and phone numbers. Registration materials will arrive by August. Entry fees are refundable through September 20.
Athens-to-Atlanta Merchandise:
Lost and Found items: Barbie purse, CamelBak (describe items to claim it)
Thanks again to all sponsors: Fila, Roces, Bauer, InLine America, TwinCam, Kryptonics, Asphalt Flight School, Skate Escape, Athens Ham Radio Club, Southern Sk8 Company for Slick Willy, PowerBar, Zephyr Inline Skate Tours, Eddy Matzger Workshop, Wheel Hog, Zepter InLine Sports Bags, SuperFeet, InLine Magazine, SmartMouth personal air filtration units, Run Jane Run, Skate Free or Die.
We heartily thank our dedicated volunteers, without whom this event could not be possible.
Athens Ham Radio Club Tracy Jensen Atlanta School of Massage Scott Jones Lisa Andreasen Jason Kahan Craig Appel George Kelly Denise Baldwin Paul Kennedy Charles Barfield David Lampp Jason Barfield Mary Lane Donn Baumgartner Ken Lowry Marilyn Bowden Eddy Matzger Skip Breeser Gary May Uwe Brockmann Tonya McClendon Tim Burton Amy Morrill Lou Callaway Doug Morrill Bill Casselman Jerry Morris Alice Dibble Elizabeth Nilsson John Dibble Penny Nilsson Sean Donahue Scott Nilsson Jeri Dugan Bob Orlowski Michelle Dziak Thomas Pickett Hans Enders Lori Regan Nicole Evers Barbara Rehg Bob Flynn Mike Rehg Della Flynn Walter Rich Deanna France Todd Rieger Jennifer Gage Robert Schmunk Deb "Gator" Gates Cindy Spalding Phil Gibson Valerie Speth Charlotte Glisson Jim Stevens Eric Gutke Steve Sutton Stefany Hale Kenn Taylor Doreen Hayes Brad Van Donsell Dave "Davo" Herman Doc Waldrop Ryan Holley Steve Williams Tim Huber Shirley Wren Doug Jebb
Please let us know if we missed anyone!
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