By MICHAEL FEELY

Staff Writer

The island held the 24th edition of the Brigantine Island Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 6. More than 600 finishers from 16 states and one from London, England, competed in South Jersey’s oldest triathlon.

Sponsored by the CER, the triathlon benefited from support from the Brigantine Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and more than 250 volunteers. Island residents and visitors were, for the most part, patient as this nationally known event was staged on the city’s streets.

The potholes on Bayshore Avenue claimed one victim, Lauren Robbins, who shredded a tire and had to run her bicycle six blocks to the transition area. The south end of Ocean Avenue was also the source of problems as the broken up pavement made cycling slightly treacherous. 

More than 10 percent of the finishers were present or former residents as the event has become a rite of passage for some and an annual passion for others. In some cases, it has become a family affair.

The top Brigantine finisher was 44-year-old Leo Suniaga who finished in 1:08:23. He was fourth in his age group and eighth overall.

Brigantine’s top female finisher was Maureen Baldwin who finished in 1:19:23, which was good for second in her age group.

Brigantine had other medalists (in the top three of their age group). 

Julia Guenther, who ran her first triathlon, had the top time in her age group with 1:20:31. She was followed by Marissa Murray who took third in a time of 1:34:37.  Carrie Mulford also took third in her age group with 1:22:12. Barbara Stefanski medaled in a time of 1:33:49. Deborah Phillips, who has completed all 24 Brigantine Island Triathlons, also medaled in a time of 1:55:29.

Ken Newcomb, entered in his first tri, finished in a time of 1:21:35, which was good for third in his age group.  And David Kahn, a first-time competitor, was the age group winner (70 and over) in a time of 2:29:50.

More than 15 relay teams competed in a classification that is becoming popular.

The extended Sullivan/Gibbons families had more than 18 competitors in the race composed of four Sullivan siblings along with several of their children and spouses.

Three of the sisters, Carol Sullivan Boland (70), biker; Jane Sullivan Gibbons (63), swimmer; and Maggie Sullivan Magee (60) runner were most likely the oldest combined group in the relays.

Of the 18 competitors, six of them were individual entrants and 12 comprised four relay teams.

Next year will be the 25th year and the CER is already making plans for the anniversary. It is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4 and is expected to sell out early.

2011 Brigantine Triathlon results, present and former residents

Male runners

Leo Suniaga     1:08:23

Sean Daley       1:09:22

J.P. Gibbons     1:11:20

Eric Schreiner   1:16:18

Matt Sheridan   1:17:05

Rick Deoliveira 1:18:26

Edward O'Conner        1:21:25

Ken Newcomb 1:21:35

Kevin Sweeney            1:22:27

Brian Mulford   1:22:44

Stephen Schreiber        1:23:03

James Macusker           1:23:30

Scott Rote        1:24:23

Chris Ciarrocchi           1:24:40

David Hassman            1:24:59

Tom Eastman   1:25:03

William Baldwin            1:29:08

Brian Graybill   1:30:06

David Borrone  1:30:15

Thomas Nelson            1:30:23

Jim Sigmund     1:31:11

Jonathon Kappock       1:32:22

Brandon McKenzie      1:32:34

Christopher Dougherty  1:33:54

Brian Murray    1:34:25

Nicholas Vaganos         1:35:26

David Kahn      2:29:50

Female runners

Maureen Baldwin         1:19:33

Julia Guenther   1:20:31

Lauren Falkowski         1:21:33

Carrie Mulford 1:22:12

Collette Mancuso         1:24:30

Maria-Elise Cassara     1:26:52

Lauren Robbins            1:27:46

Chelsea Hegel  1:28:14

Mary Beth Holmes       1:28:24

Lynda Morales 1:30:04

Lexie Estrada   1:30:58

Ryan Hurst       1:31:27

Barbara Stefanski         1:33:49

Megan Craig    1:34:30

Tina Van Buren            1:34:34

Marissa Murray            1:34:37

Margaret Delury           1:35:07

Kendal Sweeney          1:36:55

Lori Herndon    1:40:32

Pam Paparone  1:40:47

Jennifer Waddington     1:42:50

Ella Dove         1:42:59

Julie O'Connell 1:43:33

Lisa Coates      1:45:41

Mollye Lange-O'Neill   1:46:48

Patricia Delson 1:49:13

Lili Dove          1:49:44

Alicia O'Conner            1:51:57

Toni Flowers    1:51:59

Deborah Phillips           1:55:29

Kathy Conneen            1:58:26

Kira Amalfitano            2:01:12

Michelle Disanto           2:19:33

Results provided by CompuScore with permission