Race Coverage
Julia!
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Wednesday, 10 June 2026 00:10
Photo (L-R) - Katie, Julia, Elena
2026 Buffalo Olympic Coverage - The morning was hot and thick and the times generally reflected those facts. It didn't prevent the pre-race men's favorite from winning, though, but as you'll learn when we post his terrific race report in a few days, it came with a steep cost.
Still, Spencer Syvertson, managed to win by a substantial margin, 3:41 to be exact, but his final time--2:04:46--was 4:42 slower than his winning time here in 2025.
His closest competition was provided by former Minnesotan, now Houston Texan, Mark Van Mechelen. Jeron Hall, 20, who turned in some fine junior performances last season, rounded out the men's Top Three.
The overall women's podium seemed to match what was predicted, but didn't due to the wave start system. When pre-race favorite Elena Jasper was the first woman to cross the finish line it was easy to assume that she would remain atop the leaderboard. Thus if you weren't paying close attention to the clock, it would be easy to miss the fact that former Buffalo Olympic winner Katie DeRegnier, who started two minutes behind Jasper, would overtake the top spot, albeit by a slim 7-seconds.
Game over, right? We know the Top Two and the next woman to finish, Kristen Hawkins perhaps, would claim the third step....
Another Record for Cami...
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Monday, 08 June 2026 00:10
Photo (L-R) - Julie Weisbecker, who rocked in the Olympic race and Cheryl Zitur and Christel Kippenhan, who excelled in the Sprint.
2026 Buffalo Sprint Coverage - Pre-race morning conditions could be adequately described as warm. Low 70s. When the race got underway, though, "warm" turned to "toasty," and humidity, as well as wind volume, began to tick upwards. Then it became downright "hot," and many would suffer, as would their final times.
But those that set the pace in the Sprint managed to rewrite long-standing records, doing so while the climate was bearable, starting with the overall winners, Mitchell Clayton and Cami Eckhoff. Clayton, whose personal race report will post later in the week, raced confidently en route to a 56:26, which lowered Andy Wiberg's 2016 race record by 18-seconds.
The win was the tenth of Clayton's tri-career.
As for Eckhoff, her record time at Tinman last month portended a victory at Buffalo, an event she had already won twice, and suggested that she just might "challenge" Cheryl Zitur's 2017 mark of 1:03:32....
Lucky #7!
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Saturday, 06 June 2026 00:10
By Doobie Kurus
The 7th annual SWIM-Off to Summer open water challenge was a huge success. Huge in that we filled again to capacity...and then some, at 230+ people. Huge in that we went international, including Mario, from Rio de Janeiro. Huge in the size of the smiles on people's face on Sunday! I had a feeling it was going to be a good day...and not just because I was able to brush my teeth and use the bathroom mid-event. The warm weather all week leading up to race day raised the water temps from the mid 60s to the low 70s, which was about the same as the air temps. The overcast skies and minimal water ripples made for good buoy sighting.
In the (.3 mile) Sprint distance, for the women, it was (62-year-old) Linda Green (9:58), Bryce White (10:18), and Teri Johnson (12:46) respectively. For the men, it was Gregory Breheim (9:07), Scott Siemens (14:27), and Mathew Enenbach (14:40) in that order....
"Well Hot Damn!"
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Wednesday, 27 May 2026 00:10
By Tiffany Kari Cizmas
Xterra Off Road Triathlon Nationals (Alabama) complete! A hot, hot, hot one indeed! I’m still trying to cool and rid myself of a headache (ice cream please).
The swim went decent. It consisted of two laps with an Aussie Exit which means you do a lap, run out of the water, and jump back in for another. Not my best swim at all but not too terrible for my first open water 1500 of the year (I hope…).
As soon as I got on the bike I was tired. I forgot how much swimming prior sucks the energy (practice probably would help). The heat and humidity were rough so that played in. My legs become jelly-like within a few miles so did some damage control for the next few and eased up.
The second half of the ride was a hoot. We got to hit some fun rock features, fast sweeping descents both rocky and smooth, and some decent drops. My low back was killing me for most of the second half but beyond that (and the heat) it was a lot of fun.
The run started off as a slog. 90 degrees and pavement will do that to you (I can’t believe it was 90!!!). Luckily it was a trail run so soon we hit the trails and got some shade. I stayed relaxed for the first 2 miles and then started to pick it up. Actually felt decent the second half but was certainly dreaming of the finish line! ...
"...Exactly What Early-Season Races Are For."...
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Sunday, 24 May 2026 00:10
Photo: Nick and a random dog.
By Nick Jasmer
Morris Tinman Olympic Triathlon – Race Recap
- Overall Time: 1:49:01 (PR at this event)
- Overall Place: 4th Overall / 1st AG
- Swim: 15:41 (1:26/100y), Bike: 49:47 (22.9 mph), Run: 41:18 (6:40/mi)
Conditions: Cool, sunny start with temps rising throughout, about as perfect as you can ask for on race day.
Pre-Race & Competition: The Tinman, for me, served as an early-season benchmark, less about peak performance and more about assessing fitness and identifying areas to improve. But, I also wanted to show up and be competitive. Coming in, I knew the front of the race would be stacked. Micah, Spencer, and Sam were all racing, and each of them has proven they can push the pace at a high level....
"...Especially the People"....
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Monday, 18 May 2026 00:10
By Cami Eckhoff
Race Report – Tinman Triathlon - My heart is full of gratitude for triathlon. It’s been such a steady and meaningful part of my life—through the shift from stay-at-home mom to full-time teaching, chasing big goals, and now navigating a season of cancer. I’ve come to love the lifestyle: the daily training, the discipline, the patience, the growth, and especially the people. Racing always feels like a bonus.
This season looks a little different, less long-term planning, more listening to my body. Every clear scan feels like a gift and a green light to keep moving forward. Right now, staying healthy is the biggest win, and I don’t take that lightly.
Tinman was a perfect way to kick things off. It also brought me back to doing a similar event years ago with my dad and sister, which made the day feel extra special. My mom dug out these pictures (Photo - one of several pics that mom dug out.).
I chose to do the Olympic distance, which was an 1100 yard pool swim, 19 mile bike and 6.2 mile run outdoors. After focusing on long-course racing the past couple of years, it’s time to rebuild that top-end speed. From the start, I felt like I only had one gear—and it wasn’t that! The swim felt a bit frantic, and with it being a chilly start to the morning I definitely wasted time in T1..
