Race Previews

Bigger Numbers, Faster Times...

Wednesday, 01 August 2012 03:30

the best-attended (500ish entrants) and most competitive event of the 2012 Series to date.

The venue is outstanding. The race courses are flat and very fast, and while we don't expect Becky Youngberg's women's race best (1:06:28) to fall, though it might, we suspect that the men's overall mark and most of the AG standards will surely be rewritten.

Here are some of the talented folks, in alpha order, that are currently signed up:

* DOUG BARKEMA - 2nd here in 2011. Was 2nd at G-Man-St. Cloud & 4th at G-Man-Clearwater (photo R).

* LESLIE ENGLERT - 45-49W winner at the first two G-Man Tris.

* JENNIFER FITZHARRIS-FUNK - 4th at G-Man-St. Cloud, Jennifer won the Life Time Fitness-Mpls Sprint last month and Top 10ed at Chisago Sprint two weeks ago.

* JEFF GILMER - Jeff's having a super year. He's cracked the Top 10 at the first two G-Man races and owns this event's 50-54M course record.

* JIM GRAIF - Top 45-49er here in 2011, finishing 9th overall. He aged-up in 2012.

* JEFF GREBNER - 2nd at Blaine, 5th at New Bri and 6th at Lake Minnetonka are among this 45-year-old's 2012 highlights.

* DIANE HANKEE - Diane picked up her 12th career win last week in a course-record effort at Waseca 1/3. She's our pick to win on Saturday.

* TYLER HECHT - 3rds at the first two G-Man races and an overall win at TriTonka suggest that he