Race Coverage
Breakouts & Runaways...
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Monday, 24 June 2013 03:20
(Photo - Rookie triathlete Larry Hosch.)
Graniteman-St. Cloud - David Phillips, a Maple Grove-based New Zealander, who has a cool accent and calls some of his friends,"mates," came into Sunday's soggy, windy, rain-delayed Graniteman-St. Cloud Triathlon knowing that he was destined to win races. How soon he would chalk up that first W was the question. He'd already come within one place of the top spot at Buffalo Sprint on June 2, and at Du at the Dam and Maple Grove Sprint in 2012.
Was Sunday going to be the breakout day? Or would he have to wait?
Thanks largely to a big-time bike split, Sunday was the day. David
you know Doug? Nice guy. Lots of tattoos. He attributes his improved running speed to the acquisition of a frisky Golden Retriever, that he rescued from the RAGOM program. He runs with his new best friend, who he would probably refer to as his "Best Mate," if he were originally from New Zealand. Man and Dog train and race together. In '12 they won the Fast and Furry 5K9 and came in 2nd at the Fargo Marathon 5K.
Good stuff.
The 3rd finisher on Sunday was a newbie. How cool is that! A former big-time political guy (MN House of Representatives), Larry Hosch was very satisfied with his rookie effort which was highlighted by one of the fastest run splits of the day. Even though Larry (photo above) is a politician (we love his t-shirt, though) we assume he's a good guy because he goes to bars, is a triathlete and, according to his FB page, is a fan of Pink Floyd and Ray LaMontagne. Gotta love a guy with good taste in music and human rights.
Liberty Half champ Diane Hankee was the runaway winner in the women's competition. Her 1:11:43 took the course record down by just under three minutes and bettered the time of 16-year-old runner-up Paige Danielson, a 2011 Junior of the Year nominee, by 3:50.
And speaking of fast teens, three managed to crack the women's Top 10. Following Paige was her sister Greta, 19, (3rd), who earned the JOY award in 2012, and placing 8th was 13-year-old Lauren Steinke, who was also impressive at Buffalo Sprint. All three of the girls are from St. Cloud and all three could earn JOY nominations at season's end.
FYI, Diane's victory was the 17th of her impressive multisport career.
Despite a gaggle of weather-related no-shows, 211 athletes finished this year's race, matching exactly the number that crossed the finish line in 2012. The next G-Man Tri Series race is at Clearwater on July 13. LINK
Photo from Buffalo Triathlon - L - Sprint winner Jerad Smith. R - David Phillips, the guy who won Graniteman St. Cloud. Middle - A totally cool Buffalo that looks kinda real, but it's not.
