Race Previews

Hopkins Stuff...

Wednesday, 28 August 2019 23:10

HOPKINS ROYAL TRIATHLON - DOOBIE KURUS' vision for his Hopkins Royal Triathlon is not simply to produce a first-class sustainable event, but to use his event to promote all of Minnesota's triathlons (and duathlons, and now, Open Water Swim Challenges). In other words, he wants ALL of Minnesota's races to thrive, not just his own, which is truly a model for "thrive-liness."

The HoRT ALWAYs fills early, and has been nominated for Race of the Year in each of it's first five years, winning twice and never placing lower than 3rd in the polling.

Kurus' event is "open-armed," not just to paricipants, with special love for newbies and recreational athletes, but to all of the directors of Minnesota's tris and dus. They are encouraged to set up tents and tables on-site and promote their races. There is no charge for this. And the more races that accept Doobie's invitation, the happier he is...

For Doob, it is all about "Community Building," and if you've ever attended the Hopkins Royal Triathlon, you can feel that special "community" vibe, one that celebrates not only it's own virtues, but all that is special about Minnesota's tri scene.

One of the coolest features of the race itself, is its Time Trial start system which is based on "sign-up date." Those who sign up early, get the lower bib numbers, and swiminers are lauched in numeric sequence. Since most elite athletes tend to sign up late, they start late, which shifts the competitive focus away from them. Officlal times and places are not known until after results are posted. In this format, everyone is treated like a frontrunner.

Pretty cool.

So, race directors, please plan to be at Shady Oak Park next Saturday. And spectators, we hope you turn out in large numbers, too. We want you to witness how awesome this event is. WEBSITE