Race Previews

Avuncularity & Manpris...

Tuesday, 08 May 2012 02:40

Event Preview - Lake Elmo Park Reserve is an ideal place to stage a duathlon, and for the past decade some of our region's most exciting and competitive run-bike-runs have been contested there. The courses are scenic, fast, well-designed and easy to manage. A Win-Win situation for athletes and event producers alike.

The 11th edition of the event of which we speak--the Oakdale Duathlon--will take place on Saturday and between 400 and 500 folks are expected to race. A glance at the current start list has us anxious to do some prognosticating. So, without further ado:...

- The race for the overall women's title will be awesome. It'll feature a duel between Minnesota's 2010 and 2011 Duathletes of the Year: Jenny Wilcox and Suzie Fox (photo above L). Wilcox earned USAT DOY HM status two years ago but had struggled with injuries early in 2011. We have no idea if she is fit right now. On the other hand, an unnamed friend of Fox, who may or may not live in Chaska and may have won the Minnesota Master of the Year award in 2011 and 2007, tells us that she (Fox) is VERY fit and has made significant gains in both her cycling and running. We therefore predict that the women's podium will shake out as follows: 1. Suzie Fox (1:13ish), 2. Jenny Wilcox. 3. Andrea Myers.

- Scott Myers and Cinco champ Dan Arlandson will duke it out for the top spot in the men's race. Scott is the superior runner, thus we give him a slight edge. MEN'S PODIUM: 1. Scott Myers (1:03ish), 2. Dan Arlandson, 3. Scott Penticoff.

- Scotty Penticoff (photo L), who won this race outright in 2005, will crush the masters competition and land on the overall podium. He'll have short black hair with only a hint of grey in it and a very small waistline. Some will think that he sucks in his stomach, but he doesn't.

- Charlie Roach (50-54M) and Mike Colaizy (60-64) will repeat as winners of their respective AGs. Charlie will wear an argyle pattern bike shirt. Colaizy will wear his black "manpris" before and after the race.

- Hank Larsen (70-74) will be handsome with great hair. He will also win his division.

- Speaking of hair, Kathy Newcomb's will look really good.

- Mike Lyner will speak with a British accent and Gregg Garrettson will be very tall and outgoing.

- Avuncular race director, Randy Fulton, will be in a really good mood even though his clothes will be stained and