Release: Church Tavern Biathlon Draws 73 Local Athletes

Both novice and experienced biathletes from the area tested their endurance at the first annual Church Tavern Biathlon, held on September 5. The event drew 73 participants to bike a challenging 6.5-mile course up Church Tavern Road, followed by a four-mile sprint to the finish line.

The race, presented by St. John’s Episcopal Church (http://stjohnschurchonline.net), was conceived by St. John’s Vestry member and Race Director Brian Stempel. 

“St. John’s is currently searching for a new rector, and while we are in this transition period, our Vestry felt it was important to increase our church’s visibility while being of service to the community,” said Stempel.  “The Church Tavern Biathlon was an excellent way to honor our 250-year history while raising money for good causes: Carpenter’s Kids, The Wounded Warrior Project, and The Community Center of Northern Westchester.”

Danbury, CT’s Jason Twedt took top men’s honors with a finish time of 50:38, followed by South Salem, NY’s Robert McGill at 00:51:37 and Bedford Hills, NY’s Stuart Weitzman at 00:53:05.  Carla Braca of Yorktown Heights, NY was the top female finisher with a time of 00:56:20, followed by Lauren Twedt of Danbury, CT at 00:57:06 and Yorktown Heights, NY’s Laura Datino at 1:01:23.  The winning relay team of Plainview, NY’s Jim Mango and South Salem, NY’s Aarti Comstock crossed the tape at 1:00:59. 

Two local teenagers finished in the top 20: Will Bosch of Redding, CT (1:02:40) and Kristin Goett of South Salem, NY (1:03:41).  A total of 57 individuals or two-person relay teams finished the course, with zero injuries.  Top finishers in each category received an engraved silver tankard, in honor of the St. John’s Church building’s history as a colonial pub, the “Church Tavern.”   

Complete race results are available at http://www.raceit.com/results/default.aspx?event=5562.