Two Durangoans who continue to ignore the calendar brought home titles recently from the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships in Boulder.
Martha Iverson of Durango added to her list of national cyclo-cross titles, winning the 65-69 age group.
The races were held Jan. 8-12.
Eighty-year-old Walt Axthelm has to go far to find someone in his age range to compete against. He won the 80-84 category by nearly 4 minutes over the other competitor, Frederic Schmid of Waco, Texas.
Axthelm has won multiple national titles in cyclo-cross and other cycling disciplines. It was his sixth national cyclo-cross title. He placed second last year, just five months after breaking his pelvis in three places.
This year, on a frozen course that Axthelm described as having a “muddy water slime,” he was able to reclaim the title that Schmid won last year.
His advice to others wishing to continue at a high level as they age: “Don’t ever stop because it’s too hard to get going again.”
Durango annually is a force at the nationals, and this year was no exception. Troy Wells led the local pro contingent by placing 10th in the men’s pro/elite category.
Also, Fort Lewis College placed second in the overall team collegiate championships. Marian University of Indianapolis was the champion.
For a look at results of other local riders, visit durangowheelclub.com.
