Race Coverage

Steve Outruns the Field...

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. 

This year's OSCD happened last Sunday, drawing 41 participants. The men's short course race was won by pedagogue/photographer/endurance athlete Steve Stenzel, who strong running splits delivered him to the finish line more than seven minutes ahead of the field. The last time Steve raced on this was at the Fall Classic Du. He won that one, too.

Joining Steve on the Top Step was 51-year-old Stayce Haigh, an avid distance runner with limited, if any, previous multisport experience. She is pictured here with her good friend Colleen Prudhomme. According to Stayce's Facebook page, she is a fan of Bon Jovi, Avril Lavigneand American Idol. We don't know her, but we like her already.   RESULTS