FEATURES
Assorted Cool Stuff...
-
Friday, 22 June 2012 02:30
* TROPHY-ZILLA - Tri For a Cause's founder/director Henry Praska, who is a totally cool guy, sent us a great photo (L) of his event's awesome new, huge Team Championship trophy. It was donated to TFC by studette cyclist / two-time cancer survivor Lee Penn. That's her in the photo after she won that Bad Boy trophy. To learn more about TFC, it's Team Championship competition and the inspiring story of how this great trophy found it's way to this event, link HERE.
* IT'S ALIVE !
It's ALIVE! The North Mankato Lives On!
Contrary to popular urban legend, the North Mankato triathlon is alive and kicking! After a tumultuous few months after the former race director stepped down last summer, Mark Bongers and Final Stretch, Inc have picked up the sprint tri and will be presenting the perennial favorite in its 15th year on June 30th - July 1st! Final Stretch is well known around ...
the state for putting on professional multisport events (Liberty, Rochester, Waseca, and five others), so there is no doubt that the race will be a great experience. With new management 
comes a fresh look at the race, and many improvements. The swim will include more waves, the bike is a completely closed course (that's rights, completely closed), and the run has a fresh look as well. Additionally, a kids race with a "summer fun theme" has been added to the day before the adult sprint to appeal to the growing demand from athletes to make race weekend a family affair.
Anyone who has been to North Mankato Tri can attest to the fact that this is a race renown for a beginner friendly atmosphere, with a healthy number of seasoned athletes as well. The Mankato area is a great place to come spend the weekend with the family and take in what is sure to be the best North Mankato Triathlon to date! See you on race day!
More information may be found at www.finalstretch.com.
Chris Crocker
* SWASHING SOME BUCKLES - Croixathlon has always been a totally cool and fun race. And this year's event will be even cooler and funner than ever. Exciting new courses and a piratey, swashbuckling new ambiance are two of the reasons why. Most, if not all, of the other tris this weekend have closed their registration. Croixathlon remains open and will even accept race day sign up. The MTN Guys wholehearted recommend this unique experience and the opportunity to join us, the Wild River Tri Club and lots of other fun-loving folks at Barker's in downtown Hudson after the race. The food there is amazing. We recommend the chicken wings. Dan Cohen ordered the #10s last year and they almost ripped his lips off.
* EVEN TRIATHLETES NEED HAIRCUTS SOMETIMES - One of the coolest things we've ever seen at an event was the talented cutters and stylists, many of whom are triathletes, from Salon Lili / Tonic Barbers giving free haircuts at Saturday's Lake Minnetonka Triathlon. At least 25 athletes left the event with shorter and more attractive coifs. We truly hope that this becomes a trend, not only at the LMT, but at other tris as well. Check 'em out on Facebook. LINK
* GRANITEMAN ENDURANCE SERIES - This year's G-Man Endurance Series kicks off on Sunday with the inaugural Graniteman-St. Cloud Triathlon. Here's what the event website has to say:
Sunday, June 24th, 2012 Lake George, St. Cloud MN
Graniteman Triathlon in St. Cloud, MN takes place at beautiful Lake George in Downtown St. Cloud, MN located just minutes from I-94 and HWY 10. It features a unique "In town" 1/3 mile swim that is extremely spectator friendly, a beautiful bike ride through rolling country roads and finishes with another extremely spectator friendly 5K. The Graniteman St. Cloud is the first race in the Graniteman Endurance Series which also includes triathlons in Clearwater and Big Lake.
The G-Man organizers have been producing terrific triathlons for almost a decade.
