Race Coverage

Triumphant Returns & Breakout Performances...

Tuesday, 19 May 2015 00:10

ESPRIT De SHE - LAKEVILLE - Last Sunday's duathlon, the 4th annual we think, was won by 2013 Rookie of the Year runner-up OLIVIA BAGNALL by a 57 second margin over ANNE GRABOWSKI. KELLY HELTEMES (3rd) and LAURA SWARTZ (4th) finished less than 10 seconds after Grabowski, who is a very nice person.

Though Bagnall, who occasionally kisses mooses (photo L), missed the entire 2014 multisport season--she was busy playing professional soccer in Sweden, which is home to thousands of kissable mooses--and only raced five times total, she has won three of those races, and placed 2nd and 4th in the other two. If she races often  enough in 2015, her chances of making Team Minnesota are very good. In 2013, she missed a place by only two spots....

Despite windy and moist conditions, Esprit De She was the largest multi of the weekend, attracting 666 entrants.  RESULTS

HICKORY GROVE TRIATHLON - Duluth's JESSICA ROSSING won this sprint tri in Nevada, Iowa last weekend. Her nearest challenger was six minutes back.

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES DUATHLON - Despite its signature southern Minnesota windiness, conditions for Sunday's run-bike-run were surprising accommodating. Temps were mild and occasional mist replaced the forecast rain. The 50-person event was won in breakout fashion by MITCH BREKKE, who outbiked the men's field significantly. He needed the cushion because eventual runner-up NATE SANDERS made up all but 26 seconds during the second run. Kiwi transplant BRAD MITCHELL claimed the final podium step.

JENNIFER NEUMAN won the women's race, as she did in 2014 and on two other prior occasions, when the event was a triathlon. Jen's going to turn 45 in a few weeks but still gets carded at bars.

The local organizers--SCOTT (photo L with a girl named Emily), LYNN, ROSS and the tall guy with the mustache, et al--once again produced a sweet event, one with a big heart and a cool, laid-back vibe.  RESULTS