October 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gabriela Hnilkova-Jenks places 9th at WORLD DUATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Richmond, VA - Gabriela Hnilkova-Jenks, a professional duathlete and triathlete and middle school teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, placed 9th in the women’s elite division and was the second finisher for the U.S. team at the International Triathlon Union World Long Course Duathlon Championships on October 21st in Richmond, Virginia.  The race consisted of a 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) run, 80-kilometer (49.7-mile) bike, and another 7.5-kilometer (4.66-mile) run.  Her total time of 3 hours, 50 minutes, and 43 seconds included splits of 55:44, 2:22:48, and 30:33, respectively.  Great Britain’s Catriona Morrison won with a time of 3:34:56.

“I felt great,” said Gabriela, who is originally from the Czech Republic and has been living and training in the U.S. since college.  “After the first run, I was having fun.  I earned some respect.  My hard work paid off.”

“I’m very proud of Gabi,” said her coach, Dr. Jason Karp.  “She’s done a lot of work and we both knew that she was very fit going into this race.  To run 5:59 mile pace for 15 kilometers, which placed her 4th on that first run, when there’s still an 80-kilometer bike and a second 7.5-kilometer run in front of you is remarkable.  She is a great aerobic athlete who continues to impress me.  I told her a couple of days before the race to just let her body do what it has been trained to do and draw confidence from all the work she has done.  She did that, and the results show.”

500 athletes from over 25 countries competed at the 2007 International Triathlon Union World Long Course Duathlon Championships.  For more information about this year’s race, go to http://www.duathlonworlds.com/home.htm.  For complete results, go to http://www.usraceworks.com/duathlonworlds/default.aspx. 

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