PORTLAND, ME – July 26, 2008 – Beijing-bound Olympic triathlete Becky Lavelle took home top honors in the elite women’s division of the 2008 Zone Urban Epic. With a fast-paced swim and a quick run split, Lavelle was able to overcome a flat tire on the bike and impress the gathered Portland crowd by claiming victory over the women in a time of 2:25:54.
 
Local Westbrook native Mike Caiazzo also turned out a strong race – beating Lavelle and the entire field of 300 athletes to the finish line in 2:19:58. The win secured Caiazzo’s second triathlon victory in Maine in two weeks.
 
Hundreds of spectators first gathered on the shores of East End Beach at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning to cheer athletes in from the swim; then moved to 58 Fore Street to watch the exciting race finish and join in the festival. The challenging Olympic distance course enticed local athletes and favorites from Maine, such as Caiazzo and elite amateur Mary Miller, as well as racers from 15 states and Canada (Tenille Hoogland, a professional triathlete from Ontario, finished second among women with a time of 2:27:28).


“It was a beautiful day in Portland and a spectacular race,” says Race Director Will Thomas.
“The event was full of excitement – at the finish line, at the warehouse transition area, in vendor alley, in the Zone tent, on stage – everywhere you looked it was great to see the active lifestyle celebrated as part of our city.”
 
While the ZUE saw great athlete and spectator turnout, what it didn’t see was excessive waste. Through strong partnerships with Athletes for a Fit Planet, Atayne, TerraCycle, and FairPoint Communications, the ZUE achieved its goal of reducing its carbon footprint and reducing non-recycled waste.
 
For results, race stories, or more information, visit www.urban-epic.com or contact Amy VanHaren.