Sprint to the finish line

HAYDEN LAKE — Spokane resident Dan Amann was the first to cross the finish line in the Hayden Triathlon on Saturday, finishing the course in one hour, six minutes and 38 seconds.

That victory almost didn’t happen.

While completing the biking portion of the race, the 30-year-old crossed paths with a volunteer. As he tried to brake, he pitched over his handlebars and onto the ground.

After pausing on the side of the road to make sure nothing was broken, Amann pushed on to secure the win for the second time in two years.

“I think the adrenaline got me through,” Amann said.

Amann was closely followed by Paul Talens, 23, of Redmond, Wash., who finished the race in 1:06:44 — only six seconds after Amann.

The two had also been neck-and-neck in last year’s Sprint Triathlon and shared a friendly embrace after crossing the finish line.

“It feels good. Triathlons are super fun,” Talens said.  

“It’s always a good feeling to take home a win,” Amann added. “Especially when you have guys like (Talens) chasing you down.”  

The top female finisher, Alison Krogel of Denver, Colo., crossed the finish line in one hour, 17 minutes and seven seconds.

A total of 295 athletes competed in the race, which involved a half-mile swim in Hayden Lake, a 12-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run. 

Friends and family lined Honeysuckle Avenue to cheer on their loved ones as they advanced through the course.  

Andrew Schimmels, along with his sons, Bodhi, 7, and Anikin, 9, held large neon signs for the boys’ mother, Sierra.  

For this family, the race held a special meaning. 

“She’s amazing,” Schimmels said. “She has had three brain surgeries and just recently got cleared for open water swimming.”  

Sierra Schimmels, of Spokane, finished the course in 1:44:46.

Top local finishers

MENS  

1. Jonathan Porter, Athol 1:07:46 

2. Andrea Pizzini, Coeur d’Alene 1:08:19 

3. Shannon Horn, Post Falls 1:08:45 

4. David Dance, Hayden 1:12:30 

5. Scott Langhans, Post Falls 1:16:20  

WOMENS  

1. Jaime Lynn Wooten, Coeur d’Alene 1:20:43 

2. Taylon Lund, Coeur d’Alene 1:23:57 

3. Amanda Rohde, Post Falls 1:24:01 

4. Megin Shearer, Coeur d’Alene 1:24:08 

5. Chauntae Peterson, Hayden 1:25:41 

    Travis Roth, of Rathdrum, takes on the running portion of the Hayden Sprint Triathlon on Saturday.
  

    Dan Amann took first overall in the Hayden Sprint Triathlon with a time of 1:06:38. His 2-year-old son, Easton, greeted him at the finish line along with the rest of his family.
  

    Paul Talens, of Redmond, Wash., crosses the finish line to place second overall in the Hayden Triathlon.
  

    Andrew Schimmels and sons Bodhi, 7, and Anikin, 9, hold up humorous signs as they cheered on Sierra Schimmels during Saturday's race.