Race Coverage

Minnesota is Du Central...

Monday, 19 May 2014 04:10

We're seven races into our spring du calendar and it's already apparent, at least to us, that, once again, Minnesota is arguaby the most talent-rich du state in the country. In 2013, three Loon Staters--Dan Hedgecock, Ruth Brennan-Morrey and Jenn Scudiero--earned USAT Duathlete of the Year awards, Hedge and Ruther as pros, Jenn as an amateur. We'd be shocked if something similar didn't happen this year, too.

Last Sunday, Dan and Ruth proved that they are still on top of their games with big victories over depthful fields at Gear West.

Three of the brightest stars on the 2014 national amateur du scene are Diane Hankee, Matthew Payne and Nate Hoffman, athletes who were not part of the US or MN DOY discussion last year. Hankee followed up her wins at Falls Du (CR) and Oakdale with a...

runner-up effort at the USAT Long Distance Du Nationals in Cary, North Carolina, last Saturday. She already appears to be a shoo-in for a Minnesota and US DOY nomination at season's end. If she takes the amateur title at Apple next Saturday it would make her the early frontrunner for both of those awards.

Payne's amateur titles at Oakdale (CR) and Gear West were stunning. In both races he kept the pro winners in sight throughout the competition. At Oakdale, he finished only 24 seconds behind David Thompson. At GWD, he was only 42 ticks off Dan Hedgecock's pace. We hope that Matt races in at least one more du this season. If he does, and his effort is similar to those he's already turned in, he could earn a US DOY (and MN DOY, of course) nomination to go with his likely US AOY nomination. Sure, we're jumping the gun a bit, but their aren't six amateur male triathletes in the US that can beat him, and USAT names a AOY and at least five HMs.

As for Nate Hoffman, his 3rd place effort at Oakdale revealed that he's the real deal, a threat to win the amateur title in any du he enters. He and Matt are, as far as we know, not registered for this weekend's Apple Du. We hope that they'll enroll and give pros Dan Hedgecock and Patrick Parish, who is coming off a huge win at LD Du Nationals, a good push. If that were the scenario and the weather is cooperative, we should witness the shattering of multiple records.

Those we have spoken of are not the only national-level duathletes that call Minnesota home. We cannot overlook Suzie Fox, Minnesota's DOY in 2013 and one who richly deserved a US DOY HM last year. Or Brian Sames. Or GWD runner-up Elaine Nelson, or GWD bronze medalist Bridget McCoy, who appears destined to receive another Most Improved nomination. Add these and several other names to a list of perennial run-bike-run stars, like Kevin O'Connor, Jenn Scudiero and Brooks Grossinger and one would be hard pressed to name another state with more "Front-of-Race" talent.

And let's not forget infrequent duathlete Cathy Yndestad. When she shows up, as she did at Esprit du She - Lakeville last weekend, she is hard to beat.

And our state's AGers are awesome, too. Foks like Julia Weisbecker (45-49W), Sheri Schrock (55-59W), Pam Stevens (60-64W) and Hank Larsen (70-74), to name just a few, are kicking butts this season.

We're also keeping our eye on Mario Minelli (40-44M), who looked stronger and faster than ever in a victorious effort at Land Between the Lakes Du last weekend.

The MTN Guys can't wait to get to Sartell this weekend. Apple XXXII is gonna be epic!

Photo R - Land Between the Lakes Du winners Jen Neuman and Mario Minelli.