Race Coverage

Agreeing With Thomas....

Saturday, 27 May 2017 09:10

Photo (L-R) - Hanna, Diane and Dani.

APPLE DUATHLON - WADE CRUSER became the first St. Cloud area athlete since the mid-90s to win the Apple Duathlon, which is arguably our country's most competitive run-bike-run, with the possible exception of Du Nationals. 2016 Du Master of the Year THOMAS WOODS used the expression "pointy end" to convey that at the front of the race the fields at Apple are superior to Nationals.

It's hard to disagree with Tom.

What it took for Cruser to win yesterday were the fastest men's splits in all three segments, which resulted in a 1:21:48, the 4th fastest amateur men's time in the fourteen years that the current course had been utilized....

Wade was dogged through the event by 2016 Elite DOY PATRICK PARISH, who finished 2nd in 1:22:40.

Impressively, KRIS SPOTH rounded out the podium in just his second attenmt at R-B-R. He was 2nd in his du debut at Oakdale on May 6.

Places four through ten were claimed, in order, by former US AOY and pro since 2008, DANIEL BRETSCHER, SEAN COOLEY, who posted his 4th Top 5 here, JORDAN ROBY, who continues to impress, TED TREISE, whose 7th place effort places him squarely on the Most Improved radar, 2015 Minnesota Junior of the Year, NICK KLONNE (pronounced "Klow-knee, not "Klon-knee"), star master MIKE BUENTING and emerging talent MITCH BREKKE, who rocks a signature backward ball cap look.

Three women came into the race as co-faves, and they did indeed manage to separate themselves from the field early on.

We're talking about defending champ DIANE HANKEE, Minnesota Triathlete of the Year in 2016, HANNA GRINAKER (pronounced "Grin -AH'-ker, emphasiszing the second syllable - We've been mispronouncing her name for a year), and 2015 Rookie of the Year DANI VSETECKA. It was Dani who prevailed, bracketing outstanding run splits (18:15 and 19:20) around the 2nd fastest women's bike split. Running scared with Grinaker in furious pursuit, Vsetecka turned in the 4th fastest women's clocking here ever, a 1:33:21. Grinaker crossed 26-seconds later. Her 1:33:47 was the 7th best women's time in the fourteen-year history of this course.

Perhaps a bit tired after her thrilling victory the previous weekend at Gear West, Hankee claimed 3rd in 1:36:21.

The remainder of the Top 10, in order, were SHEENA DAUER, who still refuses to race in the Elite wave, though she continues to demonstrate her worthiness, two-time Team Minnesota Top three-er CHRISTINA ROBERTS, 2013 US DOY JENN SCUDIERO, West Virginia's LAUREN FALCONE, who hopes to get her pro card later this season, Minnesota MOY nominee in 2016, ANDREA MYERS, Falcone's twin-sister JUSTINE, and ELENA DANIELSON, sister of former Junior of the Year winners GRETA and PAIGE.

Outstanding field at "the pointy end," right?

Racing conditions were ideal and times across the board were solid. One divisional record was rewritten. The author was 66-year-old cancer survivor and all-around awesome lady, DEB ROBERTS.

Apple has always boasted superior production and execution, and first-year director JULIA KRENGEL (photo R) not only perpetuated that legacy, she made some awesome additions to the program, most notably her outreach to the community to amass even more door prizes than usual. She was so successful in this endeavor that twenty-five-or-so of the prizes were given out BEFORE the race so as not to unnecessarily elongate the awards ceremony.

Do you know Julia? She terrific!

Finally, a 75-year-old duathlete from Tennessee named PHILLIP DAVIS, who was made the trek to Sartell on several occasions prior to 2013, suffered a stroke during the Ottawa Du World Champs (2013). His first race back after a long and excrutiating recoverery phase was yesterday's Apple Du, which he believes, as do we, is the best duathlon in the US. He promises to return every year. RESULTS