Race Previews
Apple Bites...
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Wednesday, 20 May 2015 00:10
APPLE PREVIEW - At 33 consecutive years, The Apple is Minnesota's oldest multisport event. It's also one of our state's most consistently excellent races, especially since 2000, when it hosted the USAT Duathlon National AG Championships.
Though it may be perceived by some as an "Elite" event, it is so much more than that. Mid and back-of-the-packers and recreational athletes are welcomed with open arms and lots of outstanding amenities. We, therefore, want to encourage every athlete who has ever avoided Apple because they had assumed that it caters only to the really fast guys and gals, to give the event a try. If you do, you'll see that Apple is a celebration of running and cycling and all those who appreciate those activities.
Still, it's fun for MTN to predict what will happen at the front of the pack, and who will prevail in the various AGs. For grinzies, here's our picks: ...
MEN OVERALL: Three-time Du National Champ Patrick Parish and Matt Payne, 2014 amateur DOY, went 1-2 at Gear West last Sunday, and unless DKT decides to show up, we think the P-Boys will take the top two spots again. It should be close, though, with Patrick ultimately claiming his third Apple victory, unless Matt wins, of course. We see Brooks Grossinger and Nate Hoffman duking it out for the final podium place. Brooks will need a nice lead going into T2 to win this head-to-head. Muscle memory will work in his favor. This will be Brooksie's ninth Apple appearance since 2005.
WOMEN OVERALL: Ruth Brennan Morrey is arguably the best female duathlete that America has ever produced. Yes, even faster than Liz Downing, who dominated in the 80s and 90s. So, while this two-time US Elite DOY goes off the front, another race--the amateur competition--will unfold behind her and it will be as exciting as heck. The competition for this title will be deeper than ever, with 2000's national champs being the only exception, and we believe that either Suzie Fox or Diane Hankee will come out on top. Thus far in 2015, Fox has victories at Falls (CR) and Gear West, and a 2nd at Oakdale, where she was nipped by Hankee. What an epic battle that was. This one could be even epic-er because of the impact that it will have on overall placements at the National Championships in St.Paul on June 6, where it's possible that, perhaps, as many as three Minnesota women will crack the overall women's Top 5.
Who are we picking? We'd like to call it a tie, which we hope comes at the end of an inconclusive sprint finish that leaves both otherwise attractive women gasping and wretching and writhing on the ground screaming anguished nonsense. It would be like watching NASCAR, only with fewer left turns.
The final women's (amateur) podium spot? Jenn Scudiero? Good choice. Wait, maybe Claire Bear. Okay, what if Lisa Lendway signs-up? She could pull out another Gear West-type performance. Hey, revenge-seeking Elaine Nelson may also be a late registrant. Then's there's Heiney. And these aren't the only fast women to choose from.
We're starting to wet ourselves thinking about Saturday's race.
Now, here are a few of our picks for AG winners:
Junior Boys - Nick Klonne , 50-54M - Derek Hager, 55-59M - James Hannon
40-44W - Manuela Knispel (photo L), 50-54W - Tracy Serreyn, 60-64W - Pammy Stevens
According to Weather.com, racing conditions on race day should be groovy. Partly cloudy with temps in the 60s. A great day to celebrate running and cycling and active living in Minnesota. We think there is still be time to register, but act quickly, okay?
