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New Races, Old Races & Other Good Stuff....

Friday, 15 July 2011 03:00

* HENRY'S TRI - Saturday's inaugural Tri For a Cause in Crosby promises to be a goodie. Despite the crowded weekend schedule, the event, which was founded by a really nice guy named Henry Praska, should pull about 125 participants.

The clear favorite for the women will be Michelle Andres (photo L), who has won three of the five multis she's done thus far in 2011. The win would be the 10th of her impressive career.

Picking the men's winner is a bit tougher. Based on current enrollment, our pick is Greg Rhodes, who has raced sporadically in Minnesota since 2006. He did race twice last year and his results were impressive: 2nd at Lakes Country and 6th at Brewhouse. However, we wouldn't be surprised if guys like Grand Forks' Sean Cooley, Nevis' David Lewis and Duluth's Rod Raymond or Marc Malinowski decide to pop over to Memorial Park on the western shore of beautiful Serpent Lake on Saturday. If this happens, Greg may have to settle for a ....

lower placing. Looking for a new adventure this weekend? There's still time to sign-up. RACE WEBSITE

* BREWHOUSE IS ALMOST FULL - The 25th annual Brewhouse Triathlon, which will be staged at Pike Lake on August 7, is almost sold out. Only about 50 slots remain.

FYI - BH XXV will feature a new and vastly improved bike course. Sure the map posted here is teensy weensy and you can't read it, but take Rod's word for it, the new bike course is awesome and un-bumpy.

Hey, there's also still space available in this year's Root Beer Kids Triathlon on August 6. Help us make this the largest and best RBK yet. INFO & REGISTRATION

* THE GROSSINGER REPORT - I always look forward to Timberman weekend and spending a few days enjoying Sugar Lake Lodge. The weather was not looking good Saturday morning as it started raining about 15 minutes before the start, but the rain ended shortly and the winds stayed calm. The swim course at Timberman has to be the best in the state with its crystal clear water and sandy bottom. I came out of the water about 45 seconds faster than previous years so I felt I was off to a good start. I passed some of the super swimmers early on and was passed by Dan Cohen in the first few miles. I was able to keep him in sight for most of the ride which was slightly unusually because Dan usually puts a lot of time on me in the bike on this course. The bike course is very challenging and includes a long 2 mile climb followed by a fast downhill back to the resort. It is a 2 loop course and the long climb really slows down your average speed. I came off the bike in 3rd behind John Shelp and Dan, both Gear West teammates . I caught John about a mile into the run, John being the nice guy that he is encouraged me to chase down Dan. I ended up passing Dan at the short course turn around, after that I just tried to hold my pace the rest of the run. The run is an out and back so you get to watch the rest of the runners fighting it out. John and Dan came in with a tie for 2nd place with John getting the official spot. Both John and Dan have been racing at a very fast level for a long time and luckily for me they are not in top shape at the moment. I'm sure they will be back next year.

It was a family event for us with my wife, sister and mom doing the short course relay, my dad doing the short course and my brother in law the long course. Special note for my brother in law Ryan Saline and his top T2 split. The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out at Sugar Lake with some golf, bean bag and bocce ball thrown in. - Brooks Grossinger (Photo above - Brooks is into finishing.)

* SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MILWAUKEE AND KENOSHA - Ninety-two Minnesotans are on the start list for this weekend's Ironman Racine 70.3. In addition to our post-race commentary and link to results, we'll be posting Jennifer Martone's words describing her half IM debut and her zany road trip with "The Girls," i.e. Cindy Blackstock and Molly Moore. Looking forward to it, Jen.

* BLURRY BIKING - Hey, guess who had the fastest bike split at Life Time-Minneapolis last Saturday? Need a hint? Okay. His name spooneristically rhymes with Thavid Dompson.

Give up?

It was David Thompson (Photo L by Steve Stenzel) and this was not the first time he outrode everyone on the 40K Mpls Tri course. His split this year was 56:28. The second fastest split, which was a full minute slower, belonged to Greg Bennett.

FYI, check out DKT's blog. You'll enjoy his race report and some great photos. LINK

* DOUBLE DIPPING - Victorious in his last gazillion races, Dan Hedgecock will attempt to win not one, but two, races this weekend. On Saturday, he'll be in Danville, Iowa, at the Lake Geode Triathlon. (Even the locals don't know how to pronounce "Geode.") Then on Sunday he will toe the line with 26 other elite dudes at the Heart of the Lakes / Minnesota State Triathlon Championship. There will be a lot of driving involved. Danville is like