Race Coverage

New Kid on the Block...

Monday, 10 August 2015 00:10

17th NORTH MANKATO TRIATHLON - Former collegiate Div. I runner TOBY HENKELS could well become Minnesota's next big multisport star. In what we believe was his first tri, he managed to nip decorated elite triathlete DAVID HOLDEN at Fairmont Olympic. Holden had won that race multiple times. Henkels time there was 1:57:47. Insanely fast for a rookie.

At North Mankato yesterday, Toby won again, this time by a sizeable margin (5:42). His bike and run splits were the best in the field. And he had the 3rd fastest swim, to boot. His time over the .25-12-3 route was 54:32. Only Matt Payne (52:35 in 2015) has gone faster here.

Henkels needs only one more impressive tri effort this year to earn a Rookie of the Year nomination. Hear that, Toby?

Second and 3rd in the men's race were earned by DAN FRIEDRICHS (1:00:14) and MITCH BREKKE (1:00:13).

Finishing on top of the women's field was KATIE BURR, who is enjoying a great season, one that includes a 4th at Liberty Olympic and a top 10 effort at Toughman Minnesota (Half IM). Her time was 1:05:32 and her margin over runner-up GRETCHEN SADAKA, many time podium finisher at this race, was 1:43.

The final women's podium spot went to CHERYL JOHNSON, who nipped JULIE ANN BUSCH by two seconds.

Almost 200 athletes participated. RESULTS

7th WINGMAN - Hometown hero CHAP ACHEN won this race for the 4th time last Sunday and he dominated the men's field like never before. His margin of victory was 6:43. North Carolinian SAMANTHA ISAKSON won for the women, albeit by a slimmer margin (37 seconds). Approximately 85 athletes participated. RESULTS