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Tim, Luke & Keith...

Sunday, 29 October 2023 00:10

By Mav

Triathlon is a lifelong sport. As Goose and I have discussed within the last few weeks, athletes as young as 15 years old can show true talent, determination, and speed, and that doesn’t stop when we hit the other end of the age spectrum. Today, we highlight the three 60+ males who Mav believes had seasons worthy of receiving official nominations for the 2023 Male Grand Master of the Year honor:

Tim Brown, 65, from Blaine. Tim won this honor in 2020. In 2023, he was one of Minnesota’s most diverse racers. He had age group wins at Apple Duathlon, Buffalo Sprint (AG record), 70.3 Des Moines where he could have started 30 minutes after his competitors and still won his age group, and Ironman Wisconsin.

Luke Harned, 70, from St. Paul. Luke is one of Minnesota’s most prolific racers, and not just in the GMOY category. He raced 8 times and won his age group every time, managing to also set an age group record at Buffalo Sprint. Included in his 2023 resume are two duathlon wins, too. ...

Keith Tufte, 63, from Excelsior. Keith won his age group 3 times this season. What impressed me most about these results are his overall placings. At Turtleman Sprint, he made the overall podium in 3rd. At Hopkins Royal, he placed 6th. And at Maple Grove Sprint, placed 8th, beating all of the other men included in the GMOY conversation that raced there, some of whom were in older age groups. 

Goose's COMMENT: I didn't agree with one of Mav's pick's initially. I leaned toward favoring Jeff Gilmer for the third nomination, until I compared his times with Keith's at Hopkins Royal Triathlon over the last few seasons. Keith had twice posted faster times there. So, Tim, Luke and Keith are my pics for GMOY nominations.