Race Previews

Chisago's Helskon Half...

Wednesday, 18 July 2012 02:30

Race Preview - The 7th annual

* DAVID THOMPSON - The St. Paul pro will be gunning for his 4th win here. He's the only athlete to break 4-hours at this event. He's won 14 halves thus far in his stellar career. matt

* TOM GERLACH - This rookie pro divides his time between his native Wisconsin and Tucson, Arizona. He kicked off his 2012 season with a 3rd place finish at Leadman Epic 125, which is arguably the most arduous multi in North America. He followed that with a 4th place finish at Ironman St. George. He placed 6th here in 2011, but he's a much faster dude now.

* DAN HEDGECOCK - The current frontrunner for 2012 USAT Athlete of the Year, Hedge made his half debut here in 2011, finishing 3rd in 4:09:10. We think he'll flirt with a sub-4 on Sunday, weather permitting. (It could be varmt och fuktigt, i.e. "hot and muggy", this weekend.)

* MATTHEW PAYNE - Triathlete / Turtleologist / Most Interesting Man in Columbia Heights, Payne (photo R) won his first half (amateur title at Florida 70.3) earlier this season. Matt podiumed here in 2010 and owns a 4:07 PR at this distance.

* ALEX HOOKE - This Rochesterarian has a 4:04 half IM personal best. He placed 4th here in 2011.

* JARED WOODFORD - Chicago-based pro, Jared is best known for his short course speed. He did however place 2nd at the Great Illini Half (4:10:02) in 2010.

* MIKE LAVERY - A New Hampshire guy who went to Notre Dame and currently lives in Madison, Mike was the amateur champ (6th overall) at the awesome and prestigious Timberman 70.3 in 2011. He's a nice guy who doesn't get enough sleep because a train goes by his house at 4:30 AM every damn day! Mike Top 5ed at High Cliff on June 16.

Now for the girls:

* JACKIE ARENDT - A lover of yellow cheese and Brett Favre, Jackie is the real deal, or akta vara, as they say in Stockholm, and a great person, to boot. Two runner-up efforts in Ironman competition (St. George and Louisville) last year and another 2nd at Leadman 125 to kick things off in 2012 are some of her impressive highlights. Only a second-year pro, Jackie has definitely reached the First Tier. She owns the women's course record here, a 4:27:44 posted in 2010. Like DKT, she comes in as her gender's gynnad.

* RUTH BRENNAN MORREY - Ruther (photo L) placed 3rd here in her half debut last year and then went on to claim the amateur title at the ITU Long Distance World Championships. Her PR, a 4:37:34, was set in a 3rd place effort at Pigman last August.

* KORTNEY HAAG - Kort absolutely rocks this distance. Her young career features wins at Liberty (2012) and Pigman (2009), 2nds at Pig and Austin 70.3 (both in 2011), and a 3rd in her debut here in 2009.

* MARNIE WALTH - Like Haag, Bismarck's Marnster is a "naturebegavnin," i.e. "natural," at this distance. In two halves, both of them here, Walth placed 2nd in her debut in 2009, and 6th last year.

* MAGGIE FOURNIER - From Onalaska, Mags has an insatiable appetite for halves, a distance at which she totally excels. Here at Chisago, she's placed 3rd twice (2011 and 2010).

* JULIE HULL - Jules has won here (2008) and at Pigman Half (2007). She won the Chisago Sprint last year, making her the only athlete who's managed to pull off that particular double.

We can't wait for Sunday to get here. Chisago VII is going to be totally helskon, which is Swedish for "groovy." No kidding! Google it.

Chisago Sprint preview will post on Friday.