Race Coverage

Back-to-Back Wins for Stromberg...

Tuesday, 14 August 2012 02:00

ED.

The 35-year-old, now living in Buffalo, picked up his fourth career win and second in a row at Green Lake on Sunday morning. He completed the Olympic Course in 1:41.53 creating a nearly 6 minute gap on runner-up Rod Raymond, 47, of Duluth.

Stromberg domination came from a first in the three-quarter-mile swim (15:16), a first in the 22-mile bike (50:56 and the third-best time in the six-mile run (33:53).

He also won this season at Alexandria and Big Lake.

The 9th annual Green Lake Triathlon attracted 78 for the Olympic distance, 265 for the shorter Sprint plus 47 relays, mostly three-person teams. It sprinkled before the 8 a.m. start but stopped before the first wave of swimmers entered the lake. Roads were near dry for the pedal around Green Lake for the Sprinters and also into the country side on county highways for the Oly crew. The morning air was still but the temperature was comfortable 65 degrees under overcast.

The Olympic bike course was shortened by 4 miles this year to avoid going through the Spicer downtown a second time at high speeds (up to 25-30 mph), explained race director Dave Baker.

Each overall winner received $100 in cash (in a water bottle).

Besides Stromberg, other overall winners were:

Veronica Bond, 40, of Rochester, in the Olympic female: She competed in swimming her junior/senior years at Marshall High School. She works as a nurse.