GUILDERLAND — Another year, another smooth race for Andrew Linehan and the Pine Bush Triathlon.

Linehan, the event’s director and founder, said the race got off to a good start and ran like a well-oiled machine the rest of the day.
"The race got off at exactly 8 o’clock," Linehan said. "That was the goal and we hit the goal this year."

That is an amazing feat since the race had at its maximum number of competitors.
"Registrations, for the fourth year in a row, were sold out," Linehan said. "And they were sold out earlier than last year. Considering that, we are going to expand the number of registrants next year."

Keith Murray, 33, of Wynantskill was the overall winner, completing the course in 55:15. Murray is the head coach for The College of Saint Rose swim team and a former swim coach at the Guilderland YMCA.

Barbara Sessa, 43, of Slate Hill, was the top female finisher. She finished seventh overall with a time of 58:46.

Matt Mallett, 30, of Ballston Spa finished second overall with a time of 55:36. Craig Tynan, 37, of Guilderland was third in a time of 55:44.

Arthur Boyko, 41, of Poughkeepsie was fourth in 57:04 and Chuck Racey, 45, of Clifton Park was fifth overall in a time of 57:56.

Bridget Sherratt was the second female finisher. The 37-year-old from Fanwood New Jersey finished 1:01.57.

Mary Kogelmann, 41, of Guilderland was third in 1:04. 41. Tracey Delaney, 42, of Lake Luzerne was fourth in 1:06.25, and Julie Burke, 39, of Troy was fifth in 1:06.32.

Linehan said that he got a lot of support from the city of Albany and the town of Guilderland.
"The police force was tremendous and the whole Guilderland community was taxed," he said. "They had Countryfest on Saturday and then had to be out again at 7 o’clock the next morning. It was a long weekend for them and I appreciate all the support they gave us."

Linehan was impressed by some results from the race as well.

For the third year in a row, the City and Suburb Award went to a duo from Guilderland. This year it went to Tynan and Kogelmann.

Linehan was also impressed with Murray’s performance and the Scrub Oak Award winners.

Steve McQuide, Charles Reilly, and Hilaire Meuwissen formed the trio that brought home the award for a team with the highest cumulative age for the fifth year in a row.
"They’ve won it easily," Linehan said. "These guys are 65, 68, and 70-something and are tremendous competitors. It’s great to see out there. The swimmer was upset. He was not happy with his time. It was slower than the year before. He said that he is going to train harder and this gives him something to look forward to. That is the attitude I want in 20 or 30 years."

Linehan expects to allow 50 more registrants for next year’s competition, which takes place on July 13. He added that athletes still need to register early so the organizers can set up appropriately.