Race Coverage

Drama & Kickstands...

Monday, 15 September 2014 06:10

(Photo - Dessert enthusiasts, Gaby Bunten and Kris Spoth, both of whom totally rocked at OLT, and a guy's finger.)

9th Annual ONE LAST TRI - Sunday's OLT was more competitive than in any of its previous eighth editions, and it was arguably more thrilling than ever.

Race morning was gorgeous, crisp and sunny, and the transition area was filled with approximately 300 athletes. The mood was celebratory, albeit with a hint of sadness. OLT is, after, the final tri on the '14 Minnesota calendar and many were doubtlessly reflecting on the great season that would end when they crossed the finish line.

Some of the athletes sported $10,000 worth of gear, others brought stuff that totalled less than 100 bucks, including bike and shoes. If the event had featured a "Kickstand" division, at least a dozen participants would have vied for awards. To us, everyone was a rockstar, but the kickstanders were the rockiest and the starriest of all....

Reigning National and World Champion Heather Lendway was in attendance, so the women's race for the top spot in the long course race (800 yards - 27ish - 10K) appeared to be predetermined. The race for the other two podium steps, however, promised to be an exciting battle between established star Diane Hankee, rising stars Gaby Bunten and rookie Kelly Trom, and 2013 winner Maddy Blain. If Trom could hang with these fast women, she would lock up a Rookie of the Year nomination.

We're happy to report that she did just that.

As expected, the men's long course race boiled down to a mano-a-mano between Kris Spoth, who is being considered for a Triathlete of the Year nomination, and Ryan Bailey, who may well make the Most Improved list.

In the end, Spoth managed to pick up his 4th victory of the year, albeit by, as they say, the skin of his teeth (yucky image, huh?). Spoth's 1:50:07 was only four seconds faster than the time turned in by the hard-charging Bailey, who is a former collegiate runner (UW-Eau Claire). The resumes of both of these guys were greatly enhanced by their stellar efforts, as was the likelihood of their receiving post-season recogition.

Heather Lendway finished 3rd overall in the ridiculous time of 1:57:05, which was aided by her first sub-40-minute 10K (39:56). Heather was elated. Her performance was, once again, epic, and the win was her 12th of the season, which matched Cathy Yndestad's State Recod single-season victory total. CY was 12-for-16 in 2008; HL is 12 for 13 this season. Lendway's only loss--she placed 2nd--was in a Draft Legal sprint race against members of USAT 's Elite Development Team.

Hankee rounded out her 2014 tri season with a runner-up effort at OLT. She trailed Gaby Bunten (2nd women out of the water after Lendway) by four minutes entering T1, but managed to make it up, plus a little more on the bike.

Hank pulled away on the run, leaving Bunten to worry about the woman who was stalking her: Trom. Bunten held on to 3rd place. Her hands were still on her knees when the talented rookie finished a half-minute later.

Last year's OLT Sprint Course winners--Brian Sames, and Lisa Lendway, who has two super-cute "Fun Size" Snickers-loving daughters (photo above--managed to repeat. In fact, they finished 1-2 overall. Not only did sisters Lisa and Heather collect wins on Sunday, they both made the overall podium. For Brian, who was somewhat pooped after popped a debut 9:42 at IMOO the week before, it was his 12th career win and 4th of the 2014 season. The victory was Lisa's 2nd of the year. More significantly, she managed to outrace pre-race co-favorite Nicole Cueno, who came into the event undefeated in three starts.

Cueno placed 2nd.

Third place was earned by Megan Erlandson, whose 2014 resume also features a win (HITS Sprint) and a 2nd (Liberty Half IM).

OLT's race director is Jane Deppert. Do you know her? She's a HOOT! She gives great pre-race meeting. Her and her crew did an awesome job on Sunday. RESULTS