Race Coverage

Patience Rewarded...

Monday, 13 June 2016 00:10

Photo filched from Jennifer Fitzharris-Funk's FB page.

TRINONA VIII - The race was supposed to start at 6:45 AM yesterday, but had to be put off until 10. Persistent thunderstorms, replete with wind, rain and a lazer light show of lightning, forced several postponements. Along the way, a significant portion of those who showed up, decided to leave. In the end, though, 398 athletes would cross the finish. If you were there, you'd agree that it was remarkable that that many folks hung out in their cars until the weather changed its mind.

When it did, the conditions--cloudly, coolish and breezy--proved to be conducive to great performances and several records went down....

It needs to be noted that the delay forced the cancellation of the Olympic-distance event. The roads used for our state's most challenging and scenic tri bike course were too dangerous to use. Thus, everyone did the .25- 11- 5K sprint course.

Despite a crash as he approached T2, which probably cost him about twenty seconds, men's favorite Kris Spoth became a three-time Trinona champ, and did so convincingly. His 53:37 was a course record, lowering Brian Sames' 2012 mark by 25 seconds.

Three minutes and twenty-nine ticks passed before Elliot Slade became the official runner-up. The 19-year-old Marquette U. student had to be pleased with his 57:06, which toasted the junior CR. Slade, a Minnesota Junior of the Year nominee in 2015, now owns the junior records in both the Olympic and Sprint races.

Rounding out the men's podium was David Carney, whose 57:09 is a masters CR.

Though Mitch Brekke's name does not appear in the results, he raced near the front all morning, and if his data is recovered, it would likely show that he finished in the Top 4. Brekke won the Fairmont Sprint the previous day and his efforts over the last two seasons could be rewarded with a Most Improved nomination at season's end.

As expected, the battle for first in the women's race was between Gaby Bunten and Nicole Heininger, who now resides in Houston, Texas, and we miss her to pieces. On paper, the matchup was a toss-up. Heinie managed to beat Gaby in their two confrontations last season, but of the duo, Bunten finished her season more strongly. Her big win at Life Time Maple Grove and her 2:11 silver medal effort at the Chicago World Championships demonstrated that she had, as they say, gone to the next level.

Bunten prevailed, but not by all that much. Only 22 seconds separated the friendly rivals in the end. Bunten's 1:00:41 bettered Diana Koepp's 2012 women's standard by 1:23. Heinie's 1:01:03 was 1:01 faster than the old mark.

The final women's podium spot went to two-time Square Lake Half winner Erin Farrens, who plans to race more often this season than in years past. If she does so, there may be a spot for her on Team MInnesota.

Trinona kicked off the 2016 Life Time Minnesota Series. The next stop is Minneapolis, the Series' flagship event, which will celebrate it's 15th anniversary on July 9.

Trinona, a two-time Triathlete's Choice Race of the Year, proved that good things come to those who wait. RESULTS

ED. Coverage of last Saturday's Liberty Triathlons will post tomorrow.

Photo above R - Tri rookies Zoe Reker (8th place - 1:07:21) and BFF Leah Karstens (16th - 1:10:55) share a post-race celebratory embrace. Photo below courtesy of race founder Dave Schutz.