2024 USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance National Champions Crowned at Michigan Titanium

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Athletes claimed National Championship titles in Ultra-Distance Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike on Sunday, Aug. 11 at the 2024 USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance National Championships. The event was held in conjunction with the Michigan Titanium in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the third year in a row. 

The Michigan Titanium, Michigan’s only Ultra-Distance race, hosted the USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance National Championship in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Athletes competed in Ultra, Half, Olympic and Sprint distances in Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike, Relays and Open Water Swim. 

“For the fourth time in the history of Michigan Titanium, we were honored to host the USA Triathlon Ultra-Distance National Championships,” stated Race Director, Jon Conkling. “We had representation from 38 states and 3 countries, where we witnessed athlete after athlete accomplish impossible goals and become both TITANS and National Champions. As an independent race, we strive to make sure that athletes come first and that at the forefront, we can provide personalized, affordable and fun race experiences to everyone who steps up to our start line. We hope to welcome more athletes to West Michigan next year to take on the challenge of becoming a Michigan Titanium TITAN!” 

2024 Ultra-Distance Triathlon National Champion, Michael Bankes (Ann Arbor, Mich.), completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run course centered around Versluis Park in 9 hours, 16 minutes and 4 seconds, while Megan Tuncer (Portland, Ore.) took the tape in the women’s race in a time of 10:14:45. Both Bankes and Tuncer won the 25-29 age group titles. 

"To cross the finish line, it was everything,” said Bankes. “I had the biggest support crew out here. It really was such a great day for me. I have done this event [Michigan Titanium] three times, I came in fifth the first time, second last year, so to finally get the win is awesome. And at the end of the day, I am a TITAN and a National Champion!" 

Craig Hoogerwerf (Ada, Mich.), the third-place finisher in 2023, was the second-place overall male, finishing in 10:01:47, and first in the 40-44 age group. J.P. Dowd (Charlestown, Mass.), the 2021 overall champion, completed the podium by placing third overall and first in the men’s 50-54 age group with a time of 10:05:07. 

Taking second place behind Tuncer was Stephanie Coburn (Edgewater, Colo.) who won the women’s 40-44 age group national title and finished in a time of 11:01:26. Behind Coburn was Angie Defilippi (Colchester, Vt.) with a time of 11:41:59 to finish third place overall, while winning the women’s 45-49 age group title. 

"I first heard about Michigan Titanium when I was at USAT Age Group Nationals in Milwaukee last year,” said Tuncer. “I am a grad student and on a budget, so this was a really affordable way for me to race this distance. I also love supporting local races. But my race day was amazing from beginning to end. I loved the run course, the smaller crowd gave me time to think and to interact with the volunteers of the day. The aid stations were amazing, racing MiTi felt so personalized." 

Amy Schaefer (Moline, Ill.) took the tape for the Athena category in a time of 14:12:02. She was followed by Lauren Jensen (Mason City, Ia.) in a time of 14:25:32 and Gretchen Dabbs (Murphysboro, Ill.) in 15:31:20. Dabbs also won her age group, 40-54.

The 2024 Ultra-Distance Duathlon National Championship title was won by Jan Brenk (Chicago, Ill.) who ran across the finish line in 10:04:02. The Ultra-Distance Duathlon consists of a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run. Brenk was followed in by Chris Mosier (Chicago, Ill.) in 11:31:42 for a second-place finish and Jeff Dorrill (Dallas, Texas) placing third in a time of 11:45:09. Mosier and Dorrill won their age groups, 40-44 and 60-64, respectively. 

A lone competitor, the women’s Ultra-Distance Duathlon National title belongs to Pamela Bettis-Tanner (Greeneville, Tenn.) who won in a time of 12:17:16. 

Athletes also raced in the 2024 Ultra-Distance Aquabike National Championship consisting of a 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bike. Men’s winner, Jeremy Sikkema (Kalamazoo, Mich.) won in a time of 6:03:45, followed by Lance Fargo (Ocean View, Del.) in 6:59:13. Damian Garrison (Fortville, Ind.) rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 7:07:58. Fargo won the Clydesdale 40-59 and 55-59 age group titles, while Garrison won the 50-54 age group, and took second in the Clydesdale 40-59 group.

The women’s 2024 Ultra-Distance Aquabike National title was won by Sharon Levy (Great Neck, N.Y.) in a time of 7:29:32. Amy Wildrose (Dimondale, Mich.) took second place in 7:41:32, also winning the women’s 50-54 age group, and Elizabeth Wood (Ambler, Pa.) took third overall in 7:47:09. In the Athena category, Erin Byrge (Surf City, N.C.) won in 7:57:28, followed by Leslie Battle (Warwick, R.I.) in 9:46:19 and Valerie Davis (Grand Rapids, Mich.) in 10:00:23. Both Byrge and Battle won their age groups, 40-54 and 55+, respectively.

A total of 102 athletes competed in Ultra-Distance National Championship Events in Grand Rapids, with 43 earning national titles.