2015 Barrelman Preview – Who will win the overall titles?
Last year, at the inaugural edition of the Niagara Falls Barrelman Triathlon, Canada’s Lionel Sanders and Kristen Marchant claimed the overall titles.
This year, Marchant returns to defend her title, while the men’s title is up for grabs as Sanders prepares for his first appearance at the Ironman World Championship in October.
Another quality field has assembled to vie for the overall victories and the $5000 prize purse. The prize money will be awarded to the top 5 male and female athletes, regardless of their professional or age group status. The money will be awarded as follows:
1st – $1,000, 2nd – $750, 3rd – $500, 4th – $150, 5th – $100
Register for the Barrelman today to save on race weekend registration fees.
The top contenders in the Women’s Race
Kristen Marchant
- First year professional triathlete, and defending Barrelman Champion
- 2015 Wasaga Beach Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Bracebridge Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Woodstock Sprint Triathlon Champion
Emma Plater
- 2015 Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Toronto Island Sprint Triathlon 2nd Place
- 2015 Wasaga Beach Olympic Triathlon 3rd Place
- Resident Physiotherapist in Guelph, Ontario
Christine Lynch
- All-American Duathlete
- 2012 American Zofingen Long Course Duathlon Champion (3rd in 2014)
- Watchung Ultra Winter 50k (5:38:40) Women’s Champion
- Holistic Health Counsellor and Certified Yoga Instructor
The Top Contenders in the Men’s Race
Alex VanderLinden
- 2015 Rose City Half Triathlon Champion
- 2015 K-Town Long Course Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Bracebridge Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Ironman 70.3 Muskoka Runner-up
- A second year pro with a great moustache
Andrew Bolton
- 2015 Ontario Provincial Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 MSC Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Rose City Half Triathlon Runner-up
- Finishing Master’s degree (MFSc) in December 2015
Mikael Staer Nathan
- 2015 Bala Falls Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Toronto Island Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Bracebridge Olympic Triathlon Runner-up
- Looking to avenge his 2014 Barrelman DNF
Billy Bostad
- 2015 Garrison Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 2015 Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon Runner-up
- 2015 Kingston Long Course Triathlon Runner-up
- Barrelman will his first half iron distance race.
Jordan Monnink
- 2015 Ironman 70.3 Muskoka – 4th
- 2014 – Ironman 70.3 World Championships (4:08:13) 9th overall Amateur
- First year pro based out of Ottawa
Andrew Drobeck
- 2015 Full Vineman Champion (8:53:30)
- 2015 Pacific Crest Half Champion (4:13:52)
- Second year pro out of Missoula, Montana
- Full time professional firefighter for the city of Missoula Fire Department.
John Hirsch
- 2015 Israman 113 – 7th overall
- 2014 Challenge Atlantic City – 11th
- 2010 Ironman Lake Placid -10th
- A part time public interest/human rights lawyer focused on criminal defense for the poor
Jack Braconnier
- After his track career as a UConn Husky, he turned to multisport and to long course in 2014
- 2014 Beach2Battleship Full – 7th
- Based out of Philadelphia, Jack is making his first trip up to Canada.
- Be sure to give him a friendly yell while out on the course and look for his mohawk tips post race.
Jim Sunners
- 5th overall at the 2014 Niagara Falls Barrelman
- Multiple Ironman World Championship qualifier and Ironman Cozumel Age Group Winner
- 2014 Gravenhurst Olympic Triathlon Champion
- 52 year old Constable with the Niagara Regional Police Service
Daryl Flacks
- Defending Barrelman Bike/Run Champion
- 2015 Welland Bike/Run Champion
- 2015 Belle River International Duathlon Champion
- 2015 Bike Goal @ Barrelman 40km/hr