Teen beats all competitors at Courtney Triathlon

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Fisher | Carliegh Hwang, right, and another cyclist compete one of three laps of the 8.4 kilometer portion of the Camp Courtney Triathlon May 1. Athletes had already completed a 300 meter ocean swim. The final leg of the race was a 2.4-kilometer run.  

OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.01.2011

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Fisher 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - A 14-year-old Ryukyu Middle School student led the pack from the start, and took the win at the Camp Courtney Triathlon May 1.

Erik Armes completed the race, that included a 300-meter swim, an 8.4-kilometer bike and a 2.4-kilometer run, in 32 minutes, 14 seconds, almost a full minute ahead of the next athlete, Joe Galvin, at 33:02. Armes’ father, Stephen Armes, was the third to finish, with a time of 33:11.

At 35:44, Mitsuki Gima, a 13-year-old Japanese athlete, was the first female to cross the finish. She was seventh overall. For the women’s overall finish, Carliegh Hwang crossed the finish line next at 42:25. Chrissy Sjoberg was the third woman to finish the race, with a time of 43:52.

This was Courtney’s first triathlon and organizers were extremely pleased with the turnout of 125 athletes, said Ramon Arredondo, a Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit sports coordinator at the Camp Courtney gym.

“It was great. We were hoping to break three digits on the turnout and we did,” Arredondo said.

There was great variety in the athletes who competed, he said. The youngest was 10, the oldest 70. Both service members and civilian, American and Japanese participated. It made for a great competition.

“It was great,” Erik agreed.

The active-duty Marine athletes challenged him, he said.

“I definitely had to push it throughout the race. They definitely gave some strong competition,” the teen said.

Erik trains about eight months out of the year and is currently competing on the Camp Foster Kubasaki High School cross-country team since his middle school does not have a team.

“I’m proud of him; he worked really hard,” said his father, with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, adding that Erik passed him on the first portion of the race – the swim – and he never caught up.

Stephen had another son finish the race, 12-year-old Ryan Armes who came in 26th overall, finishing in 41:01.

“For us, it’s a healthy lifestyle, and it’s a fun way to go out and do things as a family,” Stephen said.

Marine spouses, Janet Durden, Stacey Camales and Becky Burkart, agreed the race was “awesome.”

The three women said they train and race together, as it is a good bonding experience.

“It’s a great outlet for the Marine spouses,” Burkart added.

“It was hard and fun. It’s awesome that MCCS sponsors these events for the enthusiasts and the beginners,” Durden said.

The next triathlon is slated to take place at Camp Hansen June 19. For more information about this race, call 623-5558.

For more information about upcoming Camp Courtney sports events, call 622-7297.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2011
• Date Posted: 05.05.2011 21:19
• Story ID: 69943
• Location: OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP