Race Coverage

Racing Headlines...

ywca-logo.gif8th Annual YWCA WOMEN'S TRIATHLON - Heather Lendway and Christina Roberts claimed the pro and amateur titles this morning at Lake Nokomis. 935 women finished this annual celebration of fitness and empowerment. Words and pics coming soon.  RESULTS

 

8th Annual LAKE MARION TRIATHLON - Brian Gorman and Olivia Bagnall lived up to their pre-race favored status in this elongated International distance event. Andy Wiberg prevailed for the 3rd time in the sprint, also elongated this year due to road construction. Bette Rowley won for the 2nd straight year. Approximately 300 athletes participated.  RESULTS  ...

Read more ...

5-Peat for Cooley...

deer-yard.gif12th Young Life Triathlon - For new Minnesotan Sean Cooley, his victory this hot, windy morning in Detroit Lakes was his 5th straight. Conditions didn't support fast times, nevertheless, Dr. C managed to win the Olympic race by a plump margin.

Our records indicate that this was Sean's 12th victory on Minnesota soil. His co-winner, also one who has come out on top here on several occasions, was Bismarck, North Dakota's lovely Marnie Walth.

The companion sprint race was won for the second consecutive year by Kelly Heltemes. We think her last name is pronounced "Hell-Teh-Miss," but we could be wrong. Herdlets of cute, pooping deer often hang out in her back yard, especially in the winter (FB photo)....

Read more ...

Rockin' With His "Tri Mates"...

Brad-Nats.gifBy Brad Mitchell

USAT NATIONALS SPRINT REPORT!
Water was much colder than last year! I lined up on the pier with the other 112 dudes in my age group wave (the nasty 40-44 boys, largest wave at nationals) and 109 of them jumped in with their wetsuits and did the usual power swimming/posturing (us 3 idiots without wetsuits did various arm flapping, push ups and chicken dance maneuvers--thank you Patrick Parish and Dani Fischer...) and felt quite pleased with ourselves. The countdown began, and we were told to get in.
Kevin O'Connor, who got 2nd in age group and 18th overall, (he is a legend, and yes, I am a fan boy!) happened to be two swimmers away and gave me a supportive wave. I wished at that moment I could bet a months wages that he would be top 3.
So, off we went and it felt good... as soon as I could feel my arms. Apart from some bloke doing backstroke and slapping me, it was a good swim, 69/113 out of water smile emoticon Had a really fast run to...

Read more ...

Performance Highlights...

suzie-and-diane.gifGreat Photo - Diane Hankee and Suzie Fox at Sprint Nationals.

Here are the Minnesotans who earned medals and cracked the overall Top 100 at Nationals, the most competitive amateur triathlons in the world:

OLYMPIC NATIONALS -

- Tony Schiller - 1st 55-59 (1st/ 126 finishers) (Tony's 12th National Champion title - His margin of victory was 5:34!)

- Lisa Lendway - 2nd 30-34 (2nd / 150 finishers) - Lisa placed 19th overall

- Matthew Payne - 2nd 35-39 (2nd / 167 finishers) - Matt placed 12th overall.

- Kevin O'Connor - 2nd 40-44 (2nd / 180 finishers)

- Neil King - 2nd 65-69 (2nd / 47 finishers)

- Gaby Bunten - 2nd 20-24 (2nd / 61 finishers)

- Cheryl Zitur - 3rd 50-54 (3rd / 120 finishers) ...

Read more ...

Beautiful Moments...

lisa-and-kid.gifBeautiful Photo - Lisa Lendway with her daughter Hadley. Or is it Adeline?

By Norm Deplume

AGE GROUP NATIONALS - I got excited when I first saw last Saturday's Wave Start List. The 30-34 men would launch in the first wave and the 30-34 women would go next. Because the wave intervals were wide and the fact that the 60+ men were slated for wave #3, I knew that some of our most decorated Minnesota triathletes would enjoy the luxury of being among the first to cross the finish line. We were anxious to see how BENNETT ISABELLA, 32, would fare, as well as LISA LENDWAY, 34, and JESS ROSSING, 30, and several others.

As predicted, former US Athlete of the Year Adam Webber led the 30-34 men out of the lagoon and carried his lead all the way to the finish line, for which he received a champion's welcome. Though he would ultimately place 5th overall, he was, as they say in the golf world, the leader in the clubhouse for almost 80 minutes.

The cheering din had not subsided when the BENNETT ISABELLA sped triumphantly to the finish line. He was the 5th man across. His time was 1:59:43. I couldn't have been happier.

Or could I? ...

Read more ...

New Kid on the Block...

Kato-swim.gif17th NORTH MANKATO TRIATHLON - Former collegiate Div. I runner TOBY HENKELS could well become Minnesota's next big multisport star. In what we believe was his first tri, he managed to nip decorated elite triathlete DAVID HOLDEN at Fairmont Olympic. Holden had won that race multiple times. Henkels time there was 1:57:47. Insanely fast for a rookie.

At North Mankato yesterday, Toby won again, this time by a sizeable margin (5:42). His bike and run splits were the best in the field. And he had the 3rd fastest swim, to boot. His time over the .25-12-3 route was 54:32. Only Matt Payne (52:35 in 2015) has gone faster here.

Henkels needs only one more impressive tri effort this year to earn a Rookie of the Year nomination. Hear that, Toby?

Read more ...

2024SwimOffSquare
2024ChisagoSquare
2024AppleMSSquare
TimberSquare2024
2024TrinonaSquare
https://alexandriatriathlon.weebly.com
2024GLT180
2024Apple180
2024GMClearwater180
Timber180-2024
Trinona180
2024HRT18-
2024Chisago180x300
MooseLT180x