Race Coverage

Craft Beer & Sit Down Transitions...

Sunday, 21 August 2016 05:10

In the Metro on Saturday, racing conditions were less than ideal. In fact, they were downright yucky. Still, some great racing took place.

Conversely, on Sunday, racing conditions were awesome. Some would say that they couldn't have been better, and we would agree with that assessment. Sunny, mild, temps in the low 60s with negligible wind. A great day to be outdoors.

On Saturday, though, wind, strong and cold, and rain, sometimes torrential, had almost every finisher at the 9th annual Lake Marion Triathlon scurrying for the beer tent after they finished (photo - the Sontowskis, Marc and Erin). Lakeville Brewing Company was serving a fine and nummilicious craft ale--Irish Red--and most, if not all, of the five pony kegs that were on site were drained....

(According to the LBC website:  Irish Red Ale

This delicious and rich dark copper colored ale is made with a variety of chocolate and biscuit malts and roasted barley and aged on toasted American white oak. This is a mildly-hopped, easy-drinking pint, that is malt-focused with an initial sweetness and a roasted dryness in the finish.)

Some participants required designated drivers. So, while the racing was hard and all athletes needed much more time than usual to go the distance, the post-race amenities were a wonderful reward for their efforts.

Northfield pro Daniel Bretscher and defending women's champ Olivia Bagnall lived up to their favored status, with Bretscher's 2:05:32, a circumstantially outstanding time on this very challenge course, putting him 12:05 ahead of amateur winner Mike Ladendorf, who after finishing procured his "device" so folks in the food tent could watch Gwen Jorgensen convincingly beat the World's best at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janiero.

It wasn't so easy for Bagnall to repeat. She was dogged throughout by three-time Master of the Year Ann Snuggerud. Ann was only 34 seconds back entering T2. In the end, Olivia's margin of victory was just 1:15, and Snuggie proved once again why she continues to be nominated for MOY.

LMT veteran Matt Perrine and women's CR holder Joyce Bourassa took the top spots in the LM Sprint. For Bourassa, 48, it was her third consecutive W this season.

FYI, Matt Perrine collected his second win of the weekend on Sunday at the Minneapolis Du.

Thanks to yucky weather and the plethora of races scheduled for the weekend, only 200-or-so athletes crossed the LMT's swampy finish line. This event deserves to have big numbers. We hope that attendance increases in 2017.  RESULTS

Also contested on Saturday were the HITS-Waconia Half and Full triathlons, events that have the best transition set-up ever (photo). Despite a season marred by injury and inclement weather, 2015 Triathlete of the Year Suzie Fox won the women's race and placed 5th overall. T'was the 37th multi win of Suzie's remarkable career.

Likely Rookie of the Year nominee Maggie Weiss (pronounced "Weese") placed 2nd.

The men's title was earned by Bob Wolter. One-hundred and eighteen athletes finished the race. RESULTS

Twenty-five intrepid souls finished the HITS-Full. Douglas Miranda (10:38:26) and Californian Galyn Burke (10:59:03) led the way. It was a PR for Burke, whose previous IM best was an 11:06 at Ironman Arizona in 2012.  RESULTS

Also, we received this email from Jared Anderson concerning Sunday's resurrected Chequamegon Fat Tire Triathlon in Seeley, Wisconsin:

Hi MTN Guys - Thought I would shoot you an update on the Fat Tire Tri. After lots of rain the weather turned out perfect and the trails held up nicely.
Joel Le France was able to nab the Olympic victory even after having to stop 3 times fix his bike!
Lisa Lendway won the female oly.

Thanks, Jared! Looks like your pal Joel (photo L) will get that Rookie of the Year nomination!  RESULTS

Coverage of Sunday's St. Paul Triathlon will post tomorrow.