Race Previews
Nate is a HOOT!
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Monday, 07 September 2015 00:10
4th Annual BLAINE TRIATHLON PREVIEW - This race was moved from its May date because May is an "iffy" triathlon month. Few lakes are swimmable in May.
The move to September 12 seemed pretty dang smart, until you took a closer look. Sure, it shared the weekend with the long-standing Square Lake races, but the Minnesota multisport community can easily handle two events on the same weekend, especially after all those 5-8-race weekends during June, July and August.
Right?
Yeah, but let's not forget that Blaine (and Square Lake) share the weekend with Ironman Wisconsin, which draws lots of Minnesota participants. More damaging to our local races, though, is the fact that IMOO draws THOUSANDS on Minnesota triathletes who attend the race as spectators and enthusiastic supporters of their Minnesota peers. That's probably what hurts most....
So, we ask that those triathletes who are not planning a trip to Madison, to consider, stongly consider, adding one more race to their season. Blaine is an awesome event with an outstanding venue, enthusiastic management, great volunteers and abundant athlete perks. The Race Director, Nate Monahan, is a great guy, and a HOOT, too. It has always filled in the past, and with your help, can fill again. We hope you'll check it out. Registration closes on 
Wednesday.
Oh yeah, some predictions: based on the list we've seen, we think that reigning Manitou champ CHRIS TATTON, a Blaine resident, and elite master RICH HEILMAN will duke-it-out for the win, with ANDY ZABEL rounding out the podium. We predicted that 2014 Rookie of the Year nominee EMY EVERHART (Top Photo) would win her first career tri last weekend at St. Croix Valley, but the Top 2 finishers were elite late registrants, DIANE HANKEE and JODY QUESNELL. Still, Everhart made the podium and lowered her personal best at SCVS by more than three minutes. Therefore, we think that Emy is ready to go to the Top Step on Saturday.
Tomorrow on MTN: Hopkins Royal coverage.
