Race Previews

Minnesota's Original "Destination Triathlon"...

Wednesday, 09 July 2014 00:10

TIMBERMAN PREVIEW - Many of Minnesota's coolest multisport races are staged in rural or semi-rural areas, places that don't have enough athletes to justify staging a race. These locales, e.g. Green Lake in Spicer, Leech Lake in Walker, Lake Bemidji and Pokegema Lake, lure athletes from elsewhere, especially the state's urban areas because they are "Destination" races. Travelers are happy to book hotel rooms and eat in restaurants because the total experience is so much more than an athletic challenge. Words like "aesthetic" and "recreational" and "getaway" and "vacation" apply.

Saturday's Timberman, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary, is Minnesota's original "Destination Triathlon." Billed as our state's "Premier" DT, it is the model for all such events that have followed. (Moreover, the event is proudly produced by an entirely volunteer staff.)

T-Man has earned its reputation and richly deserves its iconic status. It saddens us, though, that it shares its date with our state's largest triathlon as well as...

Graniteman's flagship race and the long-running Elysian Tri. Ironically, all these events are on Saturday. There are no races scheduled for Sunday.

The result of all this is that for the first time in its history, Timberman has had to fight to maintain its target numbers. Making things even more difficult is that a significant portion of our state's triathletes have adopted the lifestyle in the last five years. The history and legacies of the long-standing races like T-Man have yet to capture the imaginations of most of these folks. Timberman, like Lake Waconia (25-years) and Heart of the Lakes (29-years), for example, need some new blood and we at MTN encourage anyone who hasn't done some of our state's venerable old races, to sign up and see what they are missing.

Because they have been missing a lot!

So, what do we think is going to happen at Sugar Lake on Saturday morning?  Let's make some predictions.

International Distance Race:

- Brooks Grossinger (photo R) will win the men's title for the 4th straight year. He'll be pushed hard by Josh Blankenheim, who hopes to join Brooksie on Team Minnesota at season's end. We see that happening.

- Brendon O'Flanagan will also make the men's podium, as he did in 2013. He'll go a minute or two faster than last year because he's racing like a banshee in 2014.

- Brendon's main "Bizzle," * Suzy Fox, will repeat as champion. It will be the 19th victory of her young career.

- Ann Snuggerud (45-49W), Lori Green (50-54W), Sheri Schrock (55-59W) will win their AGs.

- Kris Kolenz will say funny stuff and make us wet ourselves.

- Kirk Vesterstein will take off his shirt. This is a good thing 'cuz he's very "muscley."

Sprint Course Race:

- Adam Himes will win for the 5th consecutive year.

- Tara Makinen will win for the 4th consecutive year.

- Bill Schmitt, 60, will rock another great effort and will get a Grand Master of the Year nomination at the end of the season.

* Bizzle is a totally respectful Sloop Dogg word for "girlfriend."