Race Coverage
Steve Outruns the Field...
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Sunday, 15 June 2025 00:10
Oakdale Spring Classic Du - Run-bike-run has been in a sad state of decline for more than a decade. There are directors that still produce them, but few them are still able to hold onto any optimism.
The Oakdale Spring Classic used to draw good numbers (400+) and were enthusiastically embraced by our state's premier multisports men and women, as well as recreational athletes, and we applaud OSCD director Judi and her crew for hanging in there. But the sport is suffering everywhere in the US, not just here in Minnesota. The pandemic has played a major role, of course, as had the apparent apathy of the sports governing body.
We at MTN love duathlon and would love to see it resurrected, but we don't have the answers to how to accomplish that. Sorry about the grim prognosis.
Threats & Promises....
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Thursday, 12 June 2025 00:10
Photo - Micah Warning and Christian Mirabal
2025 Trinona Coverage - Was Mother Nature threatening the 500+ participants enrolled in last Sunday's Trinona, or was she just teasing them? It turns out she was doing both. Her early morning chill and nasty gusts were a tease, as long as rain didn't follow. But as the Olympic participants started to line up for the seven AM swim start, she threw down with torrential rain and enough thunder and lightning to postpone the start for an hour, which resulted in the replacement of the Olympic race's storied bike route with the 11-mile ride used by the Sprint racers. Those with strong running backgrounds, guys like MICAH WARNING, who ran for Winona State, and UW-Madison triathlete/marathoner MATTEO KOZLOWSKI, immediately became the guys to beat, if they weren't so already.
As the morning wore on it became apparent that Mother Nature was just teasing. She wasn't interested in forcing a full cancelation, or even a more eloborate restructuring, i.e. turning the tri into a du. Instead, her cloud ceiling parted and optimistic sunshine poured through. Temps then rose steadily into the low 70s, a full twenty degrees more than when transition opened.
And yes, Micah and Matteo went off the front, their positions secure almost from the get-go. The same was true for EMMA WARD, who according to her boyfriend, came into the race intending to win. She impressed us with a Top 5 effort at Timberman Olympic in 2023, so we weren't surprised when she, like Warning, was victorious. They both posted margins of ..
Minnesotans Impress at Des Moines 70.3!
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Tuesday, 10 June 2025 00:10
Minnesota triathletes took 10 spots in the Top 25 at IRONMAN 70.3 DES MOINES last Sunday, starting with NATHAN KIM's personal best 4:06:38. The Nemeth boys from Sartell are emerging stars.
Minnesota Men:
3rd – NATHAN KIM, 23, Minneapolis – 4:06:38 (PR! Prior Best: 4:11:50)...
Good 'Ol Fun at the Lake...
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Sunday, 08 June 2025 00:10
By Doobie Kurus
On Saturday, May 31, over 200 people had some good 'ol fun in the lake participating in the 6th Annual SWIM-Off to Summer. It's amazing what beautiful weather does for the overall vibe of an event! The air temps were almost 70 with low humidity and no wind, as the first wave went off. The bulk of the registrants (almost 2/3) signed up for the 1.2 mile (half IM) distance, about 1/4 for the .9 (Olympic) distance, and about 1/10 for the .3 (sprint) distance. Although we did have a few last minute changes on distances, people seemed pretty happy with what they chose...which was to have fun!..
Minnesota's Outdoor Season Opener Was a Goodie!
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Monday, 02 June 2025 00:10
2025 Buffalo Triathlon Coverage - Alexandria-based triathletes have been rocking out for the last few seasons, Spencer Syvertson, Corey Nygaard and Kadie Hokanson especially. Then there's Brian Storhaug, who has managed to win a tri or two every year since 2017.
Spencer, Corey and Brian were chatting before Sunday's Buffalo Tri (Kadie was busy marathoning in Fargo) about the emergence of talent from their little city. They mentioned a new name, Kelly Emmerich, saying she's someone to keep an eye on.
They were right. While the aforementioned Alexandria stars were setting the pace in their respective Olympic and Sprint events on Sunday, Kelly was quietly keeping the predicted women's Olympic race leaders in sight. She cranked out solid splits in all three phases and held on to 3rd place behind besties/training partners Katie Deregnier, winner of two races in 2024, and perennial podium finisher Kristen Hawkins. We were also impressived with the fact that she finished ahead of Amy Preusser (4th place) who had already won two tris this spring...
Minnesotans Take 1st, 3rd & 5th in Northern Iowa...
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Sunday, 25 May 2025 00:10
TRI Clear Lake Coverage - Despite the cancelled swim, Minnesota triathetes did what they always do at this early-season northern Iowa multi, and we're pleased to say that most of our prerace prognostications were correct.
Let's look at the Intermediate distance (2 mile run - 25 mile bike - 10K run) competition first.
We predicted that Minneapolis pro TED TREISE would end Iowa pro TYSON WEILAND's winning streak, and he did so rather handily, thanks to his five minute pullaway on the bike. That margin endured, giving Ted a 1:39:47 to Tyson's runnerup 1:44:45.
Taking third was first amateur NATHAN KIM, who was nominated for three MMHs last year, including Triathlete of the Year. Rounding out the Top 5 were former, albeit briefly, Minnesotan STUART GILDEA and Minneapolis' PETER WIKMAN.
Winning the men's 19 & Under title was Rochester's NOAH BILLINGS (photo), a two-time Minnesota Junior of the Year. Coon Rapids' DAVID CARNEY, who was coming off a successful 2024 tri season, cracked the...
