Race Previews
The "Long" Weekend...
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Friday, 05 September 2025 00:10
With SQUARE LAKE 70.3 and IRONMAN 70.3 MADISON and IRONMAN MADISON happening this weekend, it's a good time to look at the 2025 long distance results of Minnesota's most successful amateur triathletes, many of whom are racing at the aforementioned events. ....
2025 Hopkins Preview - The Women's Field...
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Thursday, 28 August 2025 00:10
2025 Hopkins Royal Triathlon Preview - The HoRT will be entering its second decade on Saturday. Once again, it will serve a sold-out crowd. So, you can't register, but you can spectate or volunteer.
Today's preview will focus on the women's competition in the Traditional Sprint portion of the event. Here, in alpha order, are some of the women we will be watching closely:
ADELINE ALTHAUS-KOTILA, 16 - Over the last two seasons, Adeline has separated herself from her teen peers here in Minnesota. She's claimed the outright women's titles in two of the three in-state races she's done this year. We expect a Top 5 from her on Saturday.
SHANNON BRAUN, 42 (photo below) - In two races in 2025, she's finished 5th and 6th against solid competition. Those are the kind of efforts that put an athlete on the MTN radar.
BETHANY COLLINS, 70 - Owner of the women's 65-69 course record, we believe she'll win her AG and perhaps even lower Susan Dragsten's stout 70-74W record....
Minnesota's Most Competitive Tri...
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Tuesday, 19 August 2025 00:10
2025 MAPLE GROVE TRIATHLON - One of Minnesota's largest triathlons which also happenes to be its most competitive swim-bike-run, is this 16th-edition classic. Both the Olympic and Sprint races boast deep fields, especially the Olympic, so let's start there....
Northwoods XXII: Records Should Fall...
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Wednesday, 06 August 2025 00:10
22nd NORTHWOODS TRIATHLON PREVIEW - This year's men's field is clearly the deepest in the two-plus decade history of this race. On only one prior occasion--2017--had three men managed to break the 1-hour mark on NW's scenic .25 - 14 - 5K course. Five guys could slip under 60 minutes next Saturday. Who are they?
JOSH BLANKENHEIM - NW's defending champ, Josh recorded the fastest rookie effort--58:26-- here in 2024. He's coming off a record-setting performance at Brewhouse, and a win on Saturday, would be the 20th of his multisport career.
MITCHELL CLAYTON - Mitch has been barking with the Big Dogs for the last two seasons. A sub-1 hour effort on Saturday would likely secure a "Most Improved" nomination at season's end.
BROOKS GROSSINGER - Brooks has won this race 18 times, owns the course record (57:38 in 2013) and has dipped under the 60-minute mark 14 times. Enouth said....
2025 BREWHOUSE PREVE
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Wednesday, 30 July 2025 00:10
JOSH BLANKENHEIM -
TIM BONTRAGER -
TIFFANY KARI CIZMAS
BENJAMIN WELCH
BETTINA KEPPERS
CHRISTEL KIPPENHAN
SHYANNE MCGREGOR
JENA OGSTON
MIKE WARD
AG - DANIEL DUFF
The Busiest Eight Days of Summer...
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Friday, 25 July 2025 00:10
MINI-PREVIEWS - Between now and August 10, Minnesota triathletes have a multitude of in-state racing options. We'd love to see great turnouts at all of these great events. Here they are:
Sunday, July 27 - LAKE REBECCA SPRINT & SUPERSPRINT - Based on current enrollment numbers, this event should draw approximately 250 participants to its legendary venue at Lake Rebecca. A great location for a post race picnic and hangout with friends and family. Great laid-back vibe. RACE WEBSITE
Sunday, July 27 - 21st CHISAGO LAKES TRIATHLON - Launching its third decade of racing, the CLT had long ago achieved "icon" status. If you've done this event in the past you know that is a first-class event that rivals the international 70.3 series, albeit without the extravagant expense. Approximately 700 athletes are expected to participate. RACE WEBSITE
Sunday, July 27 - HOOT LAKE TRIATHLON - This sprint race should draw close to 200 participants to its Fergus Falls venue. The town is awesome and has many cool things to do and places to see. So think of Hoot Lake as a "Destination" triathlon.
August 1 - 2 - ALEXANDRIA TRIATHLON - Everything we said about Hoot Lake deserving "Destination Race" status more that applies to the Alex Tri. A small city, it nevertheless has produced a lot of great triathletes, thus it is one of the regions more...
