Race Coverage

Rhapsodic Waxing...

Tuesday, 15 July 2014 06:10

(Pam Garrettson photo - Sugar Lake Lodge)

30th TIMBERMAN - Few places that host triathlons are so compelling that visitors actually consider relocating there. (Yes, it's an awkward and poorly written sentence, but the sentiment is what's important here.)

Bend, Oregon comes to mind as such a place, as does Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hampshire.

The list of these halcyon locales is not a long one, and it includes a very special place in northern Minnesota.

Most of those who make the annual pilgrimage to Ruttger's Resort on Sugar Lake for the Timberman Triathlon leave grudgingly. They wish that they could stay forever, but their lives dictate otherwise....

Timberman's idyllic location  gives off an irresistable stress-eleviating vibe that overcomes you the way a fourth pint of craft ale might.

The race has always been produced by a volunteer staff that are palpably proud of their event and delight in sharing it with everyone who participates. They love their place in the world, and they're not even Canadian.

The race is preceeded by beautiful violin renditions of the American and Canadian National Anthems. The musician is world class, who happens to be a local triathlete. Her name is Mary LaPlant (photo R) and she is an awesome lady.

Prior to Mary's solos, a local minister led the participants in prayer and said he hoped, we're not making this up, "that everyone enjoys some of the race." It was a HOOT!

The race itself was what it was supposed to be: a celebration of movement and robust health and capacity.

Now a few words about the race itself.

All four of last year's winner's repeated as champions. In the international distance race (1300m-25.2 miles - 6 miles), Brooks Grossinger won for the fourth consecutive year, his 1:54:24 a record on this two-year-old course. He was followed by Josh Blankenheim, whose 1:56:26 was also faster than Brooksie's former CR. The gluten-free Brendon O'Flanagan, who last weekend won the Z-Tri on a course that was only seven miles northeast of Sugar Lake, took 3rd. It was his second consecutive Top 3 effort at T-Man.

Suzie Fox took a small bite out of her own CR in her victorious effort. It was her 19th career multisport win.

Ann Snuggerud, who like Suzy, is supermodel pretty, took 2nd for the fourth straight year. Third place went to Tiffany Kari. It was Tiffan's third consecutive Top 5 effort here.

Someone needs to tell Adam Himes and Tara Makinen that it's time to let other people win the Timberman Sprint Triathlon. For Himes, Saturday's win was his 5th straight; for Makinen, it was #4.

The SC podiums were rounded out by Nicholas Nygaard, who may be a rookie triathlete (we were unable to dig up past results for him), and last year's runner-up Mark Johnson, and Jena Ogston (a HOOT!) and Christel Kern.

Divisional course records in the international race were set by Jake Croteau (19U), John Shelp (40-44M), Mike Johnson (45-49M), Bill Schmitt (60-64M), Lori Green (50-54W), Beth Hassler (55-59W) and Sheri Schrock (60-64W). RESULTS

ED. A truly awesome guy, Matt Evans, who has done all thirty Timbermans and should never be allowed to dress himself even though he earned a Ph.d in scientific stuff and is a professor at UW-Eau Claire, tried to COMMENT but his post was infected, so we're cutting and pasting his comments here:

Jena and the "Gun Show" was something you don't get at a regular race.
You have to travel to this special race for that unique event.

Spot on about the joy and pride the Race Committee and volunteers have for
their place in the world. Let's keep it on the DL so I can always get
into the race though, K?