Race Coverage

Teen Star Shines Bright at RochesterFest...

Monday, 22 June 2015 00:10

ROCHESTERFEST TRIATHLONS - Alyson Welch (photo) is only 16 and already is a two-time winner of the RochesterFest Sprint Triathlon. Last year's victory resulted in a junior course record time of 1:03:12. This year she lowered her JrCR to 59:02, becoming only the 5th female to crack the 1-hour mark at this seven-year-old event. Her margin of victory over runner-up Courtney Bledsoe, 37, of Eau Claire, was a hefty 2:27.

Rounding out the women's podium was another local junior, Martha Burket (1:04:00), who is only 15. Thirteen-year-old Arianna Werts (1:04:02), also of Rochester, finished 4th. Three juniors in the Top 5 is unprecedented in this race and perhaps for all Minnesota triathlons. Good stuff, huh?

Two transplanted New Zealanders, David Phillips and Brad Mitchell, respectively, finished 1-2 in the men's sprint. For Phillips, it was his 6th career multisport win. His time (52:37) was the 4th quickest in race history. For the gregarious 41-year-old Mitchell, his 53:50 torched the men's masters record.

The final podium spot for the men was earned by Lakeville's Eric Tessmer, 42. His time was 54:48....

 The Olympic race was won by pro David Thompson (1:56:14), who despite a hard-to-pronounce injury in his groinial region (ouch!), is undefeated in three starts this season. His career win total is 96!

The amateur and masters title went to runner-up Kevin O'Connor, 44, in 1:59:22. The win, his 4th of the season, lowered his previous MR (2013) by 1:39.

Patrick Parish took the final podium spot, also breaking the two-hour mark (1:59:48).

Gaby Bunten, followed up runner-up efforts at Trinona Olympic and Capitol City, with a victory here, the 2nd W of her career. (She was also victorious at Liberty Olympic in 2014.) Her time was fast, a 2:15:56. Only Ruth Brennan Morrey (2:11:57 in 2012) and Cathy Yndestad (2:13:01 in 2008) have gone faster on this route.

Despite going off course on the bike, Bridget McCoy rebounded to place 2nd (2:24:12). The Bronze medal was earned by local triathlete by way of Portland, Oregon, Alexandra Cohen (2:33:50). According to her Facebook page, she prefers to be called "Alex" and likes chocolate chip cookies a lot.  RESULTS

BONUS STUFF: We filched these words from Kris Spoth's FB page. Kris placed 4th in the Olympic race yesterday.

At Rochesterfest Tri, I could make the excuses of bombed nutrition and mental attrition, but Pat Parish, after running himself down by racing like a bajillion times this season already, had the smart race today--taking the pulling on the swim, biding his time on the ride, and attacking in the last mile to nudge me out of 3rd. Maybe next time we can tag team and try to run down Kevin O'Connor--dang that guy is on form! Hope I can still race like that when I'm in my mid forties. Second only to the indomitable DKT. Great job today guys.
As for the women, congrats to Gaby Bunten on snagging her second career win! Girl's been having a great season.