Race Previews
CHANCHO HOMBRES..
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Thursday, 03 June 2010 06:00
Since before the millennial rollover, Minnesota men have taken home every amateur crown at Iowa's premier sprint, The Pigman, 
or "Little Pig" as is it known to some. Duluth's Brian Bich has won eight of the last 10 editions of this venerated event, and Medina's Kevin O'Connor has won the other two (and at least four titles in the 90s, aw well!). In syntactically awry Spanish, Brian and Kevin are the REY CHANCHO HOMBRES. Loosely translated, they are the Kings of the Pig Men. This is not to suggest they look anything like the grotesque guy in the photo, though we couldn't resist publishing the shot. It is totally sick, isn't it?
The 18th issue of the Pigman Sprint Triathlon is Sunday (June 6) and Brian and Kevin will be there. So will rookie pro from St. Paul, Devon Palmer. Will this be the year that Minnesota's macho reign ends? Will an Iowan (or someone from another state) finally take the amateur title?
We don't think so....
PLASTIC WATERFOWL & HULA GIRL...
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 21:00
Yucky experiences yield unpleasant memories. Who in their right mind would return to the place where those displeasing 
recollections
SCOTT, JENNY & THE SPUDSTER
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 06:00
The 5th edition of the NEW BRI TRI will be staged at beautiful Long Lake Park Reserve in New Brighton on Saturday (June 5). This event has grown steadily since its inaugural running in '06, when less than 70 athletes participated. In '09, this sprint distance event boasted nearly 400 finishers despite a rather large "stay-in-bed-because-the-weather-is-yucky" no-show rate. This year's race, despite sharing the weekend with the immensely popular Buffalo and Pigman Sprint triathlons, should match or outdraw 2009's numbers. Registration is still open. LINK
The reason's for New Bri Tri's popularity are many, the most obvious being the event's outstanding venue and annual upgrades in the areas of staging and execution.
A glance at the current list of registrants strongly suggests that the women's course record--Greta Simpson's 1:14:23, set in the rain last year (photo -L)--will undergo some serious revision. The woman who should do the rewriting is Jenny Wilcox, who despite never having raced up to her potential on this route (6th in 2008, 3rd in 2007), could lower Simpson's mark by as much as four minutes. If she races like she did in her CR-setting victories at Cinco Du Mayo and Oakdale (and her 2nd at Gear West!), and the weather cooperates, that is.
The forecast for Saturday morning is partly cloudy with temps in the high 60s or low 70s; afternoon highs around 80 degrees.
The men's course best--Patrick Parish's solid 1:03:44 posted in '08--is within reach for two-time Minnesota Most Improved nominee Scott Penticoff (photo - R),....
Apple Stuff...
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Wednesday, 26 May 2010 01:00
There isn't a better duathlon in America
Sure, some dus are larger and some feature fancier staging--bells and whistles that mean little if the event isn't expertly produced and participants aren't treated like rock stars.
Since 2000, the year The Apple hosted the USAT Age Group Duathlon National Championship, this event has done everything right. We have founders/directors Daryl and Pam Stevens and their "Committee of Carers" to thank for this. These folks were completely dedicated to satisfying the participants of their event.
Successful Defenses and Chimichangas...
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Friday, 21 May 2010 07:51
(Photo: Comic actor, Andy Samberg looks a lot like Sam Janicki. Sorta. They kinda have the same haircut. We didn't have a picture of Sam. Sorry.)
The 6th Land Between the Lakes, a.k.a. the Albert Lea Triathlon, will be contested this Sunday and close to 200 participants are expected.
On the competitive side, we expect 2009 champs Matt Payne and Brooke Larsen to repeat. On paper, Larson, winner at COLT three weeks ago, appears to be the clear favorite.
Girls Stuff
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Thursday, 20 May 2010 12:51
See that really skinny limb up there? That's the one. We're going to climb out onto it.
It's time to make some really bold out-on-a-limb predictions about the women's race at Sunday's Gear West Duathlon. As always, we're doing this for chuckles and fully expect to be wrong.
