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By Diana McCarley
I&M Staff Writer
Liz Winship has undergone more than 16 surgeries on her hip since the age of 11, and relies on a set of steel crutches when she walks.
Now 51, Winship stunned both her teammates and fans as she competed for the first time in last Sunday's Iron Teams Relay in the paddleboard leg of the six-event endurance race.
Participating in the race was a longtime dream of hers, but given her condition, she never really thought she would.
Then, nearing 50 brought more concern about her health and body. She began working out with physical trainer Kim Layman twice a week two years ago, stepping up to at least four times weekly in the last year.
In January, Winship confided in her coach that she wanted to try the relay, but was worried about fielding a team. Layman, who has been on the winning women's team for the last several years, volunteered to split from her traditional group and take part in something with a whole new kind of spirit.
They named their squad “5D,” for the five generations that comprised it, from a swimmer in her 20s, to Layman's husband in his 60s. Enriching the story even more, Winship's own husband Todd underwent triple bypass surgery only four years ago and conquered the beach run, considered by most to be the event's most strenuous element.
“If I have another heart attack, I want to be on land for it,” he joked to his wife.
Inspiring performance
But according to Layman, Winship was the star of a race that saw islander Kevin McCarthy win the men's individual competition, and Boston college professor and semi-pro triathelete Sarah Keller finish first among individual women, and Frank Powers' perennial powerhouse Mt. Vernon Farm squad take team honors.
“It's so inspiring for me to see her do that,” Layman said of Winship. “It's something she's wanted to do for so long. It was inspiring for someone whether they have a physical challenge or not.”
Winship herself dismissed the attention, but admitted she does have a lot to be proud of.
“I'm so happy I did it and I'm so happy it's over,” she said, her voice still surging with adrenaline. “It's gone from, 'Let's see if I can do it,' to conquering the whole thing.”
Overall, 34 individual competitors and 59 teams huffed and sweated their way through the grueling endurance race. The individual athletes ranged in age from 14 to 64, and the teams called themselves such names as “Amish Armageddon,” “Los Fuegos de los Pantolones” and “Donkeys.”
Six-legged monster
The course was marked by six events and six distances: an opening 2.5-mile run from the corner of Nobadeer Farm Road to Monomoy, a .9-mile paddle from Monomoy to First Point, a 3.5-mile beach race wearing a backpack filled with 20 pounds of sand from First to Fifth Point, a half-mile swim from Fifth Point to Pocomo, a 19-mile bike ride from Pocomo to Madaket and a 6.5-mile home-stretch run from Madaket to The Chicken Box, which took over for The Muse this year as co-sponsor with Nantucket Nectars.
The atmosphere at the first check point was surprisingly casual, with those waiting to mount their paddle boards mingling with supporters and rivals alike.
But once the call came in that the first runner was approaching, the athletes began stretching and jogging in place, channeling the adrenaline in their blood.
That pattern continued at all of the various shores. Relay teams tagged-off their eagerly waiting teammates at each leg, while those who took on the course individually heard the most encouragement from the crowds.
This year brought an increased number of athletes, and the race included a surprising number of individually-competing women. First-time competitor and women's winner Keller, who placed fifth overall, noted the difference between the men's and women's contests.
“So many 'Go Girls!' The crowd loves it,” she said. “The field's not as thick, to be honest - you don't have to be quite as good.”
Islander Kaitlyn Ellis, just 14 years old, conquered the course in 4 hours, 19 minutes and 54 seconds, and had one of the biggest and loudest fan bases.
But despite her physical strength and stamina, the intense weather conditions proved more arduous than she had expected.
“I'm very nervous, and the reason is because the tide is really high. She had some trouble with the beach run - it was real hard for her - and I'm worried this swim will cause her some problems. She's only 100 or 105 pounds,” said her father Jim, watching during the swim leg through a set of binoculars.
Against the elements
In fact, the rough winds and tidal currents became the race's seventh element for many competitors, at different points helping and hindering the athletes.
“It was definitely a tougher race than last year,” said McCarthy, who finished in 2:44:19. “I had the wind at my back and was swimming against the tide. They were tough conditions, but it was fun.”
“It was brutal. The bike was brutal - head wind from Madaket Road on out. It's always something with this race - currents, wind, rain, heat,” said David Johnson of the first place Mt. Vernon team (2:37:32), which has won for the past three years.
Island Spice won the women's team event and finished sixth overall in a time of 3:10:33.
Gone pro
But nearly everyone concurred that perennial favorite Jamie Murphy's presence on the sidelines - and not minutes ahead of the pack - was a nice departure from the last several years in which he's more than dominated the contest.
Murphy became a professional triathlete last year, and instead of competing instead served as the event's director.
“I had the same race as last year, it's just that Jamie didn't race,” said McCarthy.
As the athletes streamed across the finish line, scores of their fans arrived until the Dave Street entrance to the Chicken Box was filled from curb to curb.
“All of these impressive athletes are so inspiring,” said summer resident Cat Spencer.
Once they regained their legs and lungs, competitors traded course war stories over beers at The Chicken Box, which is already gearing-up for next summer's race.
“I think us and Nantucket Nectars - we made a great team,” said Packy Norton, co-owner of the Chicken Box. “It was a fantastic time. It was a really great day.”
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