Race Coverage
Gone to the Next Level...
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Monday, 12 May 2014 00:10
OAKDALE DUATHLON - This race drew its largest and deepest field ever. How deep, you ask? Well, for the first time in its 13-year history its field quality rivaled those of Gear West and Apple. The result was very fast times, featuring several broken records. Hospitable weather also contributed to this.
The previous men's race record was Scotty Penticoff's 1:03:35, set in 2012. On Saturday, four men crushed Scotty's mark. Overtaking Matthew Payne in the final run to win was pro David Thompson, who crossed the finish line in 1:00:30. Payne's brilliant 1:00:54 established an amatuer CR. Third went to Nathan Hoffman, who led after the opening three mile run (14:55!) and was only overtaken by DKT and M-Payne the rest of the way. The former collegiate cross country runner who is a super nice guy clocked a 1:01:21....
Fourth went to two-time US Elite Duathlete of the Year, Dan Hedgecock (1:03:01), who let his hair grow out over the winter and it looks really cool. Rounding out the Top 5 was reigning Falls Du champ, Joe Johnson (1:04:15).
Diane Hankee (photo R) followed up her course record win at Falls Du with a near-record effort here on Saturday. Leading from line to line, she became the second woman ever to break 1:11 on this route. Her time was 1:10:58. Only Suzy Fox, who was forced to DNF due to a mechanical thing with her rear wheel, has ever gone faster--1:10:33 at Fall Classic '13, and 1:10:51 at Oakdale '12.
2013 US Amateur Duathlete of the Year, Jenn Scudiero, who won this race in 2013 (and six other dus), placed second on Saturday in a personal best time of 1:12:28. Last year's Minnesota Rookie of the Year, Nicole Heininger (1:14:16), rounded out the women's podium.
Arguably the performance of the day for the women was turned in by Sarah Berger, who placed 4th. Like Nate Hoffman, she wasn't expected to crack her gender's overall Top 5. And like Hoffman, she turned in a stunning breakout effort, one which delivered her to the finish line a mere second behind Heinie's time. It should be noted that Sarah started in her AG wave, not with the elites. At least 13 women crossed the finish line before her.
Our records indicate that, for DKT, the win was the 87th of his stellar career. Payne's amateur victory was his 24th. For Hankee, it was her 21st. Several divisional records fell, too, including Jeff Gilmer's 55-59M's 1:14:00, Pam Steven's 60-64W's 1:30:42 and Hank Larsen's 70-74's 1:31:16.
Photos - Courtesy of Brendon O'Flanagan. Top photo - Nicole Heininger.
