By Steve Medcroft
Josh Tostada and Jenn O’Conner won the second stop in the three-race Kona 24 Hour Global Championships this weekend’s at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado. O’Conner, who traveled from the United Kingdom to defend the title she earned in 2004, held off former 24 hours of Adrenalin World Champion Christina Begy for the win. Local Breckenridge rider Josh Tostada took out the men’s race; and his share of the $19,000 cash purse.
At stake was more than a cash prize though; the Colorado event was designated as the series championship for 2005 (each year, a different race in the three-race series gets the honor of crowing the global champion).
With a field of 284 riders, promoters Tough Guy Productions (TGP) and ProVelo considered the first-time event a success. “We had 284 riders for a first time event,” said Patrick Adams, ProVelo founder. “We feel we can build on this substantially over the next three years creating what we hope will be the premier endurance race in America.”
TGP is a Breckenridge-based ski video production company headed by Gary Fisher-Subaru endurance pro Nat Ross. ProVelo’s Adams hosts endurance events in the U.K., such as his Mountain Mayhem race, which are known for things like low (by market-standards) entry fees, free camping, parking, spectating, and massage for racers.
See results from the Kona 24-Hour Global Championships here.
