Race Coverage

Micah's Breakout. Another Record for Cheryl...

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 00:10

2025 Timberman Olympic Coverage - On paper, JOE ADRIAENS was the "man to beat" going into last Saturday's race. A legit sub-2-hour racer at the distance, he was the only entrant who, as they say, "has been there and done that." ...

Sub-twos are rare at Timberman under the best conditions, and Saturday's impedements to that standard were chop, wind and Canadian smoke, This meant that settling for getting close to that mark would be the goal.

From shoreline to finish line, Joe threw down solid splits and ultimately came within 2:45 of cracking 120-minutes. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't quite good enough for 1st place.

Going into the event, his closest challenger was MICAH WARNING, who until this race was aspiiring to Adriaens-level results. He'd come close in the past--2:02 at Tri Clear Lake in '24--albeit on a much less challenging course.

Was Micah ready to go to the next level? The simply answer was "Hell Yes!" Slightly off Joe's pace in the swim and bike, Warning, a former collegiate runner at Winona State, covered the closing six mile run in 33:12, which was more than enough to overtake Joe and claim the biggest win of his tri career. Moreover, his 2:01:34 was a PR, and a clear demonstration that he is ready to post sub-2s.

Unsurprising, JASON CRISP, who like Warning, relied on a big run split to keep the rest of the men's field in his rearview mirror, claimed the final podium spot.

Jason placed 2nd here in 2024.

In the women's race, the question wasn't whether reigning US National Champion HEATHER LENDWAY would win, but rather how many of the men would she outrace. The answer: all but the top 3. Heather's finishing time was a circumstantially outstanding 2:10:50.

As predictable as HL's win, were the women who would claim the other top podium steps. ELENA JASPER, who was 2nd here in 2023 and 3rd last year, bettered his personal best on this course by 1:17, which earned her the 2nd place award.  2024 Master of the Year nominee TIFFANY KARI, 3rd in 2023, 4th in 2024, took the merchandise equivalent of the bronze medal.

One Age Group record fell last Saturday, and it fell hard. CHERYL ZITUR, 61, popped a 2:30:12, which lowered the 60-64W AGR by 4:46 and landed her in 4th place in the overall women's standings! Arguably the performance of the day.  

Eighty-four athletes were registered for this year's Timberman Olympic. RESULTS 

 Photo (L-R): Christian Mirabal, Micah Warning, Nick Jasmer.