Race Coverage

"Heck of a day"...

Thursday, 31 July 2025 00:10

2025 CHISAGO LAKES 70.3 - JOE ADRIAENS (photo) is a "podium machine," two of which had happened at the CL 70.3, but wins have escaped him. Until now. Though he came into last Sunday's Chisago Lakes 70.3 as the favorite, we recall that two weeks ago he was favored at Timberman Olympic, yet settled for 2nd because MICAH WARNING had a breakout performance

Was that going to occur again? Maybe. A herefore unknown could upset Joe's plans, and there is a guy, a former Iowan who went to college at Gustavus and now lives in Phoenixville, PA named EAMONN MCCULLOUGH, who had great junior results and has a few sub-2-hour Olympic results. His half IM PR is solid (4:29), but but doesn't stack up to Joe's 4:13.

Well, Eamonn led early, his collegiate swim background serving him well. It soon looked like McCullough was gunning for a PR on a day when PRs are very tough to come by.

Joe is a quiet, patient guy, and...

the published splits don't tell us where or when he overtook the leader, who despite rising heat and humidity, was on the verge of lopping almost ten minutes off his PR. Joe had to dig deep to eventually claim a 23-second win. So, hearty congrats to both guys; Joe for his win; Eamonn for his personal best.

Placing 3rd was 2024 Triathlete of the Year nominee SPENCER SYVERTSON's younger brother EASTON, who's 70.3 debut produced a 4:32:35. Easton's star is rising. A fast time at Buzz Ryan earlier in the month and a great season in 2024 clearly illustrate his trajectory.

Joe posted these post-race remarks on Facebook: 

Heck of a day racing @stormsportingevents Chisago Lakes 70.3 this past weekend! Conditions were less than ideal, but it’s always such a great event. The volunteers and race organizers did an amazing job (special thanks to those that asked if I was ok after the crash in the slick grass section)! Great to catch up with old friends and make a few new ones. I got a chance to race alongside @emmagetty for the first time in many years which was one of the highlights of the day. She had an amazing race despite brutal conditions. I am super stoked to take the overall

on this one. Thank you to all my family, friends, and amazing sponsors for the unwavering support! Fired up for the rest of the season!

CAMI ECKHOFF, Minnesota's June Athlete of the Month, came into the race as the clear favorite. Unsurprisingly under the austere conditios, she was the only woman to crack the five-hour mark (4:58:29). The win was the 10th of her tri career, and her 2025 season thus far boasts two wins and a 2nd.

She was the June Triathlete of the Month.

Rounding out the women's podium were marathon loving BRIE MCSHERRY (5:14:28), who PRed (5:00:40) in a 3rd place performance here in 2023, and AMY HITE (5:19:30), who finished 2nd (4:54:17) here two years ago.