Race Coverage

Season Finale...

Sunday, 29 September 2019 23:10

FALL CLASSIC DUATHLON  - Midwestern summers are the best! Midwestern autumns are awesome, too, and Saturday's Fall Classic Duathlon was staged in perfect autumnal conditions. Sunny, breezy and crisp (50ish). 

The 14-year-old event, the last on our state's 2019 calendar, was won by a decorated cyclist with limited multisport experience, and a veteran whose 36 career wins feature vistories at Apple, Gear West and Oakdale, as well as a 2nd at Long Distance Du Nationals in 2014, and a 4th that same year at Standard Distance Duathlon Nationals.

STEVEN DECKERT, a tall attorney from Loretto, cracked the Top 10 at Gear West against a talented field in June. His next effort--Maple Grove Sprint Triathlon--was less successful because it included swimming. He needed the fastest bike split in order to slip into the Top 15.

Deckert's large lead heading into T2 at FCD was necessary to hold off his primary challenger, KOLE SEILER, the fastest runner in the field. Though Seiler, a medical professional, outsplit Deckert in the final 2.8ish final run by 2:29, Deckert was able to claim a 44-second victory.

Breakout efforts for both guys. Good stuff. ...

Seiler's wife QUIN, a dog lover (photo R),  was also rocking and rolling, and like her husband, landed on her gender's overall podium, taking third behind DIANE HANKEE, whose 36th career victory put her in 3rd place overall, a position she held throughout the entire event.

The win was her fourth of the season.

The battle for 2nd and 3rd was an exciting duel between Quin and 2018 FCD winner SIMONE LUNDQUIST, 17. Seiler enjoyed a small lead after the opening run. Simone closed the gap on the bike, and she and Quin entered T2 together, but Lundquist, who is receiving serious consideration for a Junior of the Year nomination, had the faster transition, opening a ten-second lead that would grow to 53-seconds by the time she reached the finish line.  Her 1:20:21, which was almost two minutes faster than her winning clocking in 2018. 

Several AARP athletes rocked impressive performances, starting with JEFF GILMER's 4th place overall finish, not bad for a 60-year-old. Fellow young-looking Grand Master LUKE  HARNED, 67 (top photo), remained undefeated in regional racing this season with his 10th place overall finish. Harned has reset records in five of those six races, making him a likely GMOY nominee.

Gilmer's wife MARY DEEG, 58, who is no stranger to placing in the women's overall Top 10, was able to match her husband's 4th place performance.

The FCD was a sweet event. A good way to close out a season. RESULTS