Race Previews
Suzie Loves Kids...
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Thursday, 25 May 2017 23:10
ED. Last Sunday afternoon, we received an email from one of our favorite people in the world: SUZIE FOX. Here's what she wrote:
Hi MTN Guys!
So great to see you today at, LOVED that women's field at GW, I was hoping to get a chance to ask you in person this morning if you would be able to run a little blurb about registration for my summer youth triathlon club through minnetonka public schools on MTN sometime this week if you need a story or have a slow day coming up, even anytime this month or super early June? We start June 12. If that is okay I can send you a quick paragraph and the live sign up link.
Thanks so much for your consideration! - Suzie
We told Suzie we'd be glad to spread the word, so she sent us a blurb and some art: ...
The Race With a Statue...
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Tuesday, 23 May 2017 19:10
BUFFALO TRIATHLON - Minnesota's outdoor triathlon season is fast approaching, and we are giddy with excitement.
First up is the New Bri Tri on June 3, followed a day later by a race that triathlete RICK ABRAHAMSON, a great hairy-faced guy (photo below) who kinda looks like Harry Shearer's Derek Smalls' persona in "Spinal Tap," forthrightly claims has one of the two most outstanding venues in Minnesota: The Buffalo Triathlon. (The other super-venue is Brewhouse's new home at Island Lake.)
We agree with Rick that Sturges Park appears to have been designed with triathlon in mind. If you've ever raced, or spectated, or volunteered there, you'll doubtlessly agree. It's both a great place to race, and to watch a race....
Apple Bites...Updated!
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Monday, 22 May 2017 19:10
SARTELL APPLE DUATHLON PREVIEW - Historically, Apple has been America's most competitive non-championship duathlon, except during those years that it had actually hosted Nationals or Worlds Qualifiers. On those occasions, Apple was clearly the most talent-heavy run-bike-run in the country.
Next Saturday, Apple, our state's oldest ongoing multisport event, will celebrate its 35th anniversary, and once again, it will feature a field of athletes that will rival the national championships. And it will do so without a pair of athletes who have imprinted the event. MATTHEW PAYNE, a two-time men's champ and reigning amateur record holder, will not be on the starting line next weekend. In the interest of his competitive longevity, the forty-year-old two-time US DOY has vowed not to race on successive weekends. He raced, and won, last Sunday at Gear West Du.
2013 and 2011 winner SUZIE FOX will also be elsewhere this weekend. Family and friends stuff, we think?
Still, Saturday's event should be ultra competitive. On the women's side, three of last year's Top 5 are returning. 2016 winner DIANE HANKEE, who is coming off ...
Lots to Get Excited About...
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Monday, 15 May 2017 05:10
GEAR WEST DU PREVIEW - We can't wait for Sunday to get here.
The 26th edition of the Gear West Duathlon is happening that day and there's lots of reasons for us to be excited. The event marks the post-partum return to multisports for GWD amateur record holder ELAINE NELSON. The Duluthian missed the 2016 for gestational reasons and we missed her bigly. Do you know her? In addition to being a national class endurance athlete and pharmacist, she is one of the sweetest members of our species ever.
We hope Elaine brings baby pictures (photo) on Sunday. Her new daughter is named Annalise (Great name!) and she's a doll! She sometimes eats sand.
We are also excited about MAGGIE WEISS' sophomore season kick off performance. Runner-up for ROY in 2016, she was ranked in the 11th- 12th range on Team Minnesota by all the MMA selectors. Look at what athletes like KORTNEY HAAG, HEATHER LENDWAY and DANI VSETECKA accomplished in their second seasons. Kort won the Most improved and ranked 2nd on Team Minnesota. Heather won Nationals in the fastest amateur winner's time ever. And...
Gunning For Career Du Win #10...
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Thursday, 11 May 2017 05:10
OAKDALE DUATHLON PREVE - We rescheduled (for Saturday) our regularly scheduled post --"El Rocketo. Unofficial Hemsworth Brother"--to bring you news about Saturday's Oakdale Duathlon. Uncle Randy has recently posted his registration list and we got exciting by what we saw. The men's field is especially strong. Here are the guys that we believe will be racing for podium spots:
- WADE CRUSER - Defending Oakdale champ who is coming off a course record win at Cinco Du Mayo Long Course, Wade's won three of the four dus he's done so far in his career and should have been a USAT DOY HM in 2016, in our humble opinion. Unless, Matt Payne decides to pop in, Cruser is our pick to win.
- JESSON BAUMGARTNER - Iowa transplant and 2012 US DOY, the year he won Duathlon Worlds in Ottawa, Jesson is coming off a win at the Falls Du. A 5000 PR of 14:10, Baumgartner should be a threat on Saturday. His best years were 2011 and 2012, though.
- KRIS SPOTH - He has little or no background in duathlon, but has the requisite skills. He's a fast runner and cyclist and a tenacious competitor. He will affect the outcome of Saturday's race....
Duathlon Month...
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Monday, 08 May 2017 05:10
May is Duathlon Month in Minnesota. Five great races. Okay, we're fudging a little. The first du--FALLS--is actually on April 29.
Two of the five--FALLS and CINCO DU MAYO--have been contested. Next up is Saturday's OAKDALE DUATHLON at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, followed the next Saturday by the GEAR WEST DU. And the Saturday after that is APPLE....
