Aukeman celebrates 10th anniversary

Bursell looks to go for a third title

The Aukeman Triathlon will be celebrating its 10th year anniversary on Saturday.

The triathlon, which started by John Bursell and Tracy Rivera, consists of a 750-meter swim, 19-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run around Auke Lake.

The race attracted 70 participants last year. Jordan Callahan won the women’s race for the second straight year while Bursell claimed the top spot in the men’s race, finishing in 1 hour, 4 minutes, 30 seconds. Bursell and second-place finisher Justin Dorn were the only racers to eclipse the 70-minute mark.

Bursell has competed in the last three Aukemans — winning in both 2015 and 2017 — after passing the race director torch to Liz Smith. In 2016 Bursell shaved off almost a minute from his time from the year before but a strong outing by Outsider Mick Bakker (1:03:39) bumped him to second place. Bursell, 54, said he’s not expecting to improve his time, citing not having enough training time on his bike.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Bursell, whose son Zach has also won the event multiple times, has been happy with the growth of the event over the last decade.

“The goal was really just to provide a triathlon that most people could participate in and that’s why it’s a shorter triathlon,” he said. “So it’s a reasonable distance for beginners but it’s also still a fun, enjoyable experience for experienced triathletes. Every year I see new people getting into the triathlon which is great.”

The race begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Auke Lake boat ramp.


• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com. Follow Empire Sports on Twitter at @akempiresports.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of March 23

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Juneau School District administrative office inside Thunder Mountain Middle School on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Update: Students and staff affected by PowerSchool data breach offered two years of identity protection services

The complimentary identity protection services apply to all impacted students and educators.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, March 26, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Illustration by Stephanie Harold)
Woven Peoples and Place: Seals, science and sustenance

Xunaa (Hoonah) necropsy involves hunters and students

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Glenfarne takes majority stake of Alaska LNG Project, will lead development

The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation announced Thursday they had reached an agreement with the New York-based company.

Tom Dawson touches a 57-millimeter Bofors gun during a tour of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
US Coast Guard Cutter Munro stops in Juneau as it begins its patrol

Crew conducts community outreach and details its mission in Alaska.

ConocoPhillips oil pipelines on the North Slope of Alaska on March 23, 2023. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Oil and gas execs denounce Trump’s ‘chaos’ and ‘uncertainty’ in first survey during his second term

Issues raised by southcentral U.S. operators have similarities, differences to Alaska’s, lawmakers say.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, March 25, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read