Race Previews

2025 Hopkins Preview - The Women's Field...

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....

MARY DEEG, 62 - She won her AG and placed 6th overall woman here in 2021. We pick her to take the 60-64W gold.

HELEN GUNTHER, 69 - She's won her AG here in the past and should do it again on Saturday. We expect her to lower her division's CR.

HEATHER LENDWAY, 41 - The three-time National champion has the two fastest women's times here at Hopkins. It's not a question of whether she'll win on Saturday, but whether any of the men will beat her.

JENNIFER MARTONE, 53 - Her 2nd place finish at Big Lake Sprint got her excited about doing a second race this season. We're glad she chose HoRT. A Top 5 is a possibility.

JENNA MITCHLER, 41 - She's got two Top 5s in three starts this year. She finished 7th here in 2022, and she is faster now than she was then.

CHANTAL NACK, 28 - A two-time Top 5er here, Chantal is our pick to finish 2nd. FYI, she cracked the Top 10 at the USAT Multisport Festival Sprint in Omaha earlier this season.

ERIN ROCK, 47 (top photo) -  After placing 5th against a great field at Buffalo Sprint, she chalked up wins at Manitou Sprint and Chisago Sprint. We see her finishing no lower than 3rd.