Racine, WI – Luke Bell showed he is fully recovered from recent knee surgery with an outstanding win at the Spirit of Racine Half Triathlon in Racine, Wisconsin on Sunday. Bell was filled with doubt as his return to top form was slow. “There’s an exceptional amount of doubt. You’re wondering if your job is over with and whether you should start working at something else. “ Bell explained after finishing with a new course record of 3:49:58. “I knew in where I was in terms of fitness and I’m probably 80 percent of where I was.”

After giving up 3:20 to super biker David Thompson (2:07:29), Bell made his move on the run, picking up 1:30 on the opening lap and with Thompson falling off his opening lap pace, Bell put the hammer down and passed him for the lead with 3 miles to go. Nearly matching Bell’s pace was Joe Gambles who closed out with a 1:17:01 for 2nd overall in 3:51:03. Defending champion David Thompson held on for 3rd in 3:53:47. Proving his win at the recent Spirit of Morgantown Half Triathlon in West Virginia was no fluke, Daniel Bretscher ran his was into 4th overall in an impressive 3:54:48. Rounding out the top five was Mike Caiazzo in 3:55:56.

With no defending champion or any of the top three from 2007 in the field, the women’s race was wide open. Lauren Jensen poured on the jets on the bike and came in with a big lead. However, the run would prove to be where all the action would take place. Kelly Handel dominated the run in 1:25:32 to take the win in 4:23:18. Rookie pro Rebecca Witinok-Huber surprised many with a strong run to finish 2nd in 4:27:31. Haley Cooper (4:32:20), Lauren Jensen (4:39:17) and Miranda
Alldritt (4:48:44) rounded out the top five.

Over 2,300 participants competed in the three events that make up the Spirit of Racine Triathlon weekend. Full results can be found at www.spiritofracinetri.com