Remembering a champion: Wes Coyner Duathlon organizer Reed Stoops, left, presents a framed racing bib to Dolores Coyner, Wes' widow, prior to Saturday's race at False Outer Point. Wes Coyner died last July while competing in the U.S, National Duathlon Championships in Carlsbad, Calif.; the framed bib is what he would have worn at the world championships. BRIAN WALLACE/ THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

JUNEAU EMPIRE © 2003

Twenty-three racers - 21 individuals, and a pair of two-man teams - completed the first annual Wes Coyner Duathlon on Saturday in North Douglas.

The race was held in memory of Coyner, a local athlete who died last July during the U.S. National Duathlon Championships in Carlsbad, Calif.

Prior to the race, organizers held a brief ceremony and read a state legislative proclamation honoring Coyner. Coyner's widow, Dolores, was given a framed racing bib that Wes Coyner would have worn at the world duathlon championships.

Chris Wilkens won Saturday's 2-mile run, 14-mile bike, 2-mile run event that began and ended at the False Outer Point parking lot. Wilkens' time was 1 hour, 4 minutes, 22 seconds.

Out in front: Competitors Matt Beedle, far left, and Chris Wilkens, second from left, lead the pack along North Douglas Highway during the first leg of Saturday's Wes Coyner Duathlon. Wilkens won the run-bike combination race, while Beedle finished second. BRIAN WALLACE/ THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

WES COYNER DUATHLON

Results from the Wes Coyner Memorial Duathlon held Saturday near False Outer Point in North Douglas. The course featured a two-mile run, a 14-mile bike ride and a second two-mile run along the North Douglas Highway. The event was cosponsored by the Southeast Road Runners Club and the Juneau Freewheelers Bicycle Club. Racers could compete individually or as part of two-person teams.

Finishers - 1. Chris Wilkens, Male (overall winner), 1 hour, 4 minutes, 22 seconds; 2. Matt Beedle, M, 1:05:01; 3. Jon Pollard, M, 1:06:46; 4. Erin Mitchell, Female (top woman), 1:09:49; 5. Michele Schindler, F, 1:10:29; 6. Putt Clark, F, 1:10:31; 7. Jim Beedle/Jake Beedle, Team (top team), 1:08:50; 8. John Walsh/Bob Marshall, T, 1:09:16; 9. Peter Jepsen, M, 1:09:16; 10. Dan Robinson, M, 1:13:52; 11. Suzanne Hebert, F, 1:12:56; 12. Neil Slotnick, M, 1:12:00; 13. Amy Kepetar, F, 1:18:41; 14. Jim Grammel, M, 1:24:02; 15. Steff Thomas, M, 1:21:18; 16. Julie Coris, F, 1:25:21; 17. Nancy Thomas, F, 1:23:27; 18. Doug Haley, M, 1:28:14; 19. Jill Ander, F, 1:25:34; 20. Bernie Sorenson, F, 1:25:36; 21. Sara Poor, F, 1:41:00.