Race Coverage

Soul Food & Newsy Stuff...

Monday, 25 July 2016 05:10

BERTRAM BLAST - (ED. Apologies in advance for inflicting our inner hippie on our readers.)

After almost three decades of growth and prosperity, the sport of Triathlon peaked. Race directors didn't see this coming (2010-2011), however, and many new races were were added to the calendar at that time.

Here in Minnesota, almost 30 new events came into being during that period. The result of that (and other factors), of course, was the dramatic reduction in event attendance in the years that followed....

As a result, several races in our state have gone away. In 2016 alone, many great events--Capitol City, Pigman Half, Square Lake Half, Chaska, for instance--have been cancelled. The Minnesota calendar that once boasted 83 annual multis, now has between 60-65 races.

2016, therefore, is no time to add a race to the schedule, right?

Not necessarily.

Last Saturday's Bertram Blast proved that great races have to endure, they have to weather all storms. BB was a great event, an instant classic. It was special. Not only was it a perfect example of why we do this sport, it was a perfect example of why we should do this sport.

BB was, purely and simply, food for the soul. It was about communing with Nature. It was about celebrating Minnesota's natural resources and healthy outdoor lifestyles in a revential way. It was less about taking a physical test than it was about being someplace that you truly want to be. Participants--127 showed up on race day despite the threat of yucky weather--came early and stayed late.

The outcome of the races--tri, du, trail run--was less important than at other races. Just being there and doing it was what it was about. That's a cool thing.

Still, for those who are interested in the results, Anthony Hirschman of Plymouth, and Lindsay Hupka of Thunder Bay, Ontario, won the tri, and Scott Eide (55, Avon) and Olivia Layton (39, Big Lake) won the du. RESULTS

We are confident that  inspite of the current trends that adversely affect race participation, BB will grow. We believe that when other athletes have tasted to soul food that those who did this year's event enjoyed, they will decide to make the annual pilgrimage to Bertram Chain of Lakes Park.

IRON MICHELLE ANDRES - Two-time Ironman Wisconsin champ Michelle Andres from East Gull Lake had this to say on her Facebook page after her 3rd place overall / 1st 35-39W (10:41:28) performance on Sunday at Ironman Canada:

So glad that's over!!! Great day of racing in a beautiful location. I can't complain about coming in 3rd and winning my AG. Kona bound!!
Thank you! Thank you to all of you who followed me today and were cheering from afar. I thought about all of you every time I crossed a timing mat. I do love me some climbing on my bike and this course did not disappoint.
Now time for more pizza, ice cream, and fries.
Cheers friends!!!

ARLANDSON WINS - MTN congratulates Burnsville's Dan Arlandson on his runaway victory at Shell Lake last Saturday. He covered the .33-15-5K route in 1:09:27. His margin of victory was an adipose 9:29.