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Going All the Way...

Thursday, 17 October 2013 00:10

(Photo -  MIchelle Andres)

Minnesota Multisport Awards - Too be leligible for the coed Long Distance Athlete of the Year award, an amateur triathlete must have turned in at least two outstanding long course--Half IM or longer--performances during the past season. For the men, only Matthew Payne was a slam dunk nominee, though Sean Cooley and Dan Arlandson also had noteworthy LD results....

For the women, though, several have had nomination-worthy resumes, though prior to Kona, only one--Diane Hankee--was a slam dunk nominee. Duking it out for the other two nominations were Emily Kratz, Kortney Haag and Cathy Yndestad, whose pre-Kona resume may be sufficient. However, Kona would tell us whether Michelle Andres and Suzie Fox deserve to be in the conversation.

Did Kona effect the outcome of the LDAOY nomination debate?

Yes, indeed.

Here are the LDAOY nominees and their long distance highlights:

MICHELLE ANDRES (36, East Gull Lake)

- 9:50:23 @ Hawaiian Ironman World CHampionships

- 2nd amateur / 5th overall @ Hawaii 70.3

DIANE HANKEE (36, Lino Lakes) - LD Highlights:

1st @ LIberty Half - 4:40:19 (Course Record)

1st @ Chisago 71 (4:46:08)

3rd amateur @ Ironman Louisville 10:21:03 (PR)

8th amateur @ Texas 70.3 - 4:42:45

10:47:52 @ Hawaiian Ironman World Championships

EMILY KRATZ (35, Minneapolis)

- 1st amateur @ Ironman Texas - 10:18:34

- 4th amateur @ California 70.3 - 4:50:18

- 10:22:08 @ Hawaiian Ironman World Championships

MATTHEW PAYNE (36, Columbia Heights - photo R) - LD Highlights:

- 1st @ Liberty Half - 4:07:39 (Course record)

- 1st amateur @ Chisago Half

- 2nd amateur @ New Orleans 70.3 - 4:05:52 (PR)

- 2nd overall @ Leadman Epic 125-Bend (9:08:11)