Race Coverage

Sean, Hanna, Caryn & Other Stuff...

Monday, 24 June 2019 23:10

ATTENTION GRANITEMAN CLEARWATER ENTRANTS! Due to the expected high heat index on Saturday, the race will start at 8 AM instead of 9 AM. 

HIGH CLIFF HALF IM - MTN congratulates SEAN COOLEY on his runaway victory last Sunday at the High Cliff Half on the northeastern coast of majestic Lake Winnebago south of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The victory, by a 10:30 margin over Milwaukee's ANDREW ERNST, was his 21st since relocating to Minnesota in 2011 from Grand Forks, ND. It was Sean's sixth win at the 70.3  distance, and his time of 4:07:34 was the 2nd fastest amateur clocking in High Cliff's 16-year history. It also marks the fifth time he has cracked the 4:10-mark.

Cooley's girlfriend, HANNA GRINAKER, on the advice of her coach, did High CLiff's Half Aquabike instead of the tri. The result was a ridiculously fast time--2:50:47--and an overall victory. The event is only a few year's old, but Hanna's time is its fastest time ever, and by a long shot. Second place on Sunday went to men's winner TOBIA MARTEN of Appleton, who finished 10:14 after Grinaker.

It was career win #11for the two-time MInnesota Female Triathlete of the Year, who did her first triathlon in 2016.

And just as groovy as Hanna's and Sean's performances were, one could argue that Minnesota's rockingest rockstar at High Cliff was actually CARYN HERRICK (photo with Peter Wikman), who placed 4th overall in the women's half behind three Elite Division ladies. Her 4:57:52 on High Cliff's super-challenging course is only her third triathlon, and her other two were back in 2013.  PS - Caryn's boyfriend, sophomore triathlete PETER WIKMAN, also excelled, throwing down a time of 4:43:51, placing him 12th overal.  RESULTS   ...

TRI FOR HEALTH - MTN Congratulates race director TOM TURNER and everyone associated with TFH's 2019 event. The adult triathlon boasted 73 finishers this year, up from a low of 26 in 2017 (47 in 2018). The event once drew 100+ adult triathletes, but that was back in 2011 and 2012, when the sport was at it's peak.

16th Annual PERHAM TRIATHLON - This is a very cool event and we encourage anyone who isn't currently registered for a race this weekend, to make the trek to Perham. Here's how we introduced the event in our 2018 preview: 

 Known as the Average Jo Triathlon for it's first fourteen editions, this event has been renamed for its host community. It is now the Perham Tri.

If you've never been to Perham, we suggest you check it out. It is a very pleasant town with a population of about 3500.

Here's a course description and link to the event's website: 

SWIM: 1/3 mile swim begins at Paul Miller Park on Little Pine Lake. Water depth is approximately 8 feet deep. Spectators can view the race from several locations on the Paul Miller Park shoreline. Life guards will be available and the course will be marked.
BIKE (certified helmets are required): Enjoy a 12 mile bike ride around Little Pine Lake, rural well marked roads with beautiful scenery and rolling hills.
RUN /WALK: The 4 mile run on paved bike trail bringing you back to Paul Miller Park. The course is relatively flat....

FYI - Online registration closes on Thursday, June 27, and walk-up registration is available on race morning. RACE WEBSITE