Race Coverage
Ludick Rocks at Chisago...
-
Thursday, 14 March 2024 00:10
CHISAGO OLYMPIC & SPRINT COVERAGE - These events celebrated their second annivesaries last Sunday. Talented out-of-staters won both of the men's races. A 59-year-old phenom and a tri rookie / elite distance runner earned the women's overall titles.
In 2022, Most Improved runner-up ANDREW KERSHAW won the Olympic race rather handily over Wisconsin's IAN BORMETT and Iowa's NOAH BRENNY. This time, though, Brenny got payback. His excellent swim and run splits had Kershaw hoping that his superior bike split would, once again, put him at the front of the race. Andrew beat Brenny by more than seven minutes in 2022, and would come away with a solid time (1:57:41), but Noah has gone to another level this year, perhaps two or three levels. His final time proved to be 44-seconds faster than Kershaw's.
DYLAN WILLIAMS, who is proving to be the real deal, threw down a 33:33 run allowing him to close to withing 42 seconds of Andrew.
In her first tri, MARGARET LUDICK (photo) raced basically by herself in the first and third legs. A huge lead on the field out of the water would not sustain her on the bike leg. Eventual runner-up SARAH SILBERNAGEL was first into T2, but Ludick would run a 35:36. Enough said. Game over....
A Special Event...
-
Monday, 11 March 2024 00:10
TIMBERMAN OLYMPIC COVERAGE - Approximately 320 triathletes signed up for this year's Timberman, 83 of which participated in its Olympic distance--1900 yds - 25 miles - 6 miles - race. Before PRESTON YOUNGDAHL enrolled on the eve of the event, what appeared to be a three-man battle for first between defending champ JOSH BLANKENHEIM, the Minnesotan who has Top 10ed in both the Sprint and Olympic races at Nationals for the last two years, HENRY JESSEN, and former college runner on the verge of breaking into the elite ranks MICAH WARNING became a three-man battle for 2nd. Since June of 2022, Youngdahl has been unbeatable on Minnesota soil, and that didn't change last Saturday. A quick swim and a brisk run bracketed the kind of bike split that left no doubt who would come out on top. Two-plus MPHs faster than his closest compeitors landed Preston in T2 with an insurmountable lead....
Buzz Win #9 For Nelson. Manning Nukes Course Record...
-
Friday, 08 March 2024 00:10
Photo - Buzz Ryan and Brewhouse venue pre-staged.
By Mitchell Clayton
Duluth’s Island Lake Park, which is also the site of the Brewhouse Triathlon in early August, played host to the 11th annual Buzz Ryan Sprint Triathlon this past Sunday. The 500 yd – 10 mile – 2.5 mile race is set among picturesque pines and is a perfect course for those looking to complete their first race, and tri veterans wanting an excuse to push the pace. Temperatures on Sunday morning were in the low 60’s with a steady breeze out of the west, and despite some showers about an hour before the race start, the clouds cleared as participants started to cross the finish line...
Hot Minutes, Home Turf & Beans..
-
Sunday, 03 March 2024 00:10
By Corey Nygaard
Alexandria Triathlon Race Report - It's been a hot minute (2021) since I have jotted down any of my thoughts about a race. But I had a feeling this one would be worth noting... Racing Your favorite sport on your home turf with all of your favorite people, what's better than that? Right now, I can't think of anything...
Lendway's Words
-
Thursday, 29 February 2024 00:10
By Heather Lendway
Timberman Race Report - After racing through some constant pain my last pro year in 2017 I finally had an MRI to find partial tears in the high hamstring tendons. It took about three years to find the right combo of care to feel mostly recovered. Then COIVID hit so I tread back into the racing waters last summer to see if I could find any joy in racing again after a discouraging end to my pro career. My first race back I was pleasantly surprised that my body just kind of knew what to do minus a few details like dismounting a bike, where I lost a shoe and almost crashed, but it turned out OK. I generally had a good time, enjoyed seeing some old friends and making some new ones. After that I decided to do Timberman, and fell I love with the venue. This included crystal clear water, cool enough for a reasonably comfortable wetsuit swim, safe roads for riding (so safe I accidentally did a little extra mileage in ‘21) and a perfect run course with plenty of water stops and a few rolling hills. After the race I booked a room for ‘22 and Patrick and I registered the day registration opened (hence being #3 and #4 race bibs)....
Puppies and a Pickle....
-
Saturday, 24 February 2024 00:10
TIMBERMAN SPRINT COVERAGE - Five-time Sprint winner TARA MAKINEN has a new puppy. It's probably cute, as most non-chihuahuas are. It is also in need of training and can be demanding at times. She needs to be taught not to piddle on the carpet and poop on the bedspread. She also needs to learn that when you leave the house, you do plan to return.
So, TARA MAKINEN has been a bit sleep-deprived of late, which can result in limited triathlon training. She came into Saturday's event, her first tri of the year, worried that she was not ready to do her thing in the way she's used to doing it.
Then Race Director AMY DETTMER said "Go" and Tara splashed into Sugar Lake. Defending champ and four-time T-Man Sprint winner BETTINA KEPPERS was the woman to beat and Tara almost pulled that off. In the end, Bettina's swim split proved to be the difference. When the dust cleard, only 14-seconds separted these friendly rivals.
Now that Tara and Bettina both own five Sprint wins, next year's confrontation should b epic.
Placing 3rd for the women was perennial podium finisher--she won in 2015-- JENA OGSTON, a decorated water skier and all-around endurance athlete....
