November 01, 2018 (Borrego Springs, CA) – Canadian rider, Meaghan Hackinen from Saskatoon, broke the course record en route to second overall in the Women’s Solo division while winning the women’s 30-39 category, at the 6-12-24 Hour World Time Trial Championships, Oct. 26-27, in Southern California’s Borrego Springs.
Hackinen, an experienced randonneur but rookie time trialist, racked up a total of 456 miles (733.8 km) narrowly losing the world title to American Jennifer Orr by 3.5 minutes. She maintained a pace of 19.1 mph (30.7 km/hr) throughout the night and into the afternoon as temperatures soared to 35 degrees. Hackinen stepped off the bike only to relieve herself and apply sunscreen, and fuelled her body with bananas, yams, dates, peanut butter and jam sandwiches, GU gel, Gatorade, and Red Bull.
The attracts ultra-endurance cyclists from around the world including Austria’s Christoph Strasser who took the overall win with a record-breaking 567.6 miles (913.4 km) racing in the Men’s Solo category. The top Canadian man was Shawn Vangassen who finished 68th overall and 46th in the Men’s Solo category completing 234.0 miles (376.6 km) at an average speed of 17.9 mph.
Racers started in waves, with 24-Hour participants beginning first at 5 pm on Friday (Oct. 26), 12-Hour racers joining them at 5 am on Saturday (Oct. 27), and finally the 6-Hour racers starting at 11 am. All races wrapped up at 5 pm. The event is a RAAM qualifier, as well as an end-of-season opportunity for elite and novice riders alike to test their mettle, catch up with friends, and enjoy the warmth of the desert.
The course features an 18-mile (29 km) loop with 347 feet (105 metres) of elevation gain as riders pass through the famous Galleta Meadows sculpture garden, enjoying stunning views of the Anza-Borrego desert. For the final 1.5 hours, racers move to a fast 4.8-mile (7.7 km) finishing loop. The event is non-drafting, and participants can race solo or in team categories.
Results
Overall Male
1. Christoph Strasser (Austria) 567.6 miles (913.4 km) – 23:40:06
2. Marko Baloh (Slovenia) 514.8 miles (828.4 km) – 23:54:12
3. Mark Gibson (USA) 477.6 miles (768.6 km) – 23:44:54
Overall Female
1. Jennifer Orr (USA) 456 miles – (733.8 km) – 23:53:52
2. Meaghan Hackinen (Canada) 456 miles (733.8 km) – 23:57:24
3. Seana Hogan (USA) 433.2 miles (697.1 km) – 23:52:24
Full results can be viewed here.
