MOORESVILLE, Ala. — Gatlin Holland of Birmingham easily won the 2022 Heel & Crank Duathlon held May 14, finishing 10 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor.
Holland, 27, scorched the 3-mile runs split by a 16-mile bike ride in a time of 1:12:30. Nathaniel Pierce, 36, of Huntsville was second in a zippy 1:22.40, while Ryan Rhodes of Harvest was third in 1:23.19.
The Heel & Crank Duathlon starts in Mooresville, one of Alabama’s oldest cities, with a 3-mile run on the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge gravel roads. The run is a 1.5-mile out-and-back. Competitors then hop on bikes and take off on rural roads for a 16-mile loop ending back in the Mooresville town square. Then it’s back on the Wheeler NWR roads for the final 3-mile dash.
The popular event is put on by the Team Rocket Tri-Club of Huntsville. All proceeds benefit the ALSA in memory of longtime Tri-Club athlete Darin Kruse. This race is not USAT sanctioned. The club decided for 2022 to reduce costs for beginners and allow recumbent cyclists. Bikers were on alert this year after a terrible hit-and-run incident weeks ago during a training session.
Ashley Loertscher of Madison was first female (20th overall) in a time of 1:44.22. Melinda Hyatt of Madison was second (29th overall) in 1:49:50, and Katie Whitcomb was third (31st) in 1:51.01.
For the full results including Fat Tire, Clydesdale/Athena, and relays for male, female and mixed teams, visit this link.
