Heather Wurtele led the field for more than four hours, but was edged in a sprint to the finish at the Revolution 3 Half Iron Triathlon Sunday in Middlebury, Conn.
Wurtele, formerly of Vernon, completed the 70.3 miler in four hours, 27 minutes and 59 seconds, finishing 17 seconds behind 2010 Kona world champion Mirinda Carfrae of Australia. She earned $13,500 for the stellar result.
Wurtele is now preparing for Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene, which goes June 24 in Idaho. A four-time Ironman event winner (3.8-kilometre swim, a 180-km bike and 42.2-km run), she holds course records at both Lake Placid, N.Y. and St. George, Utah.
