Race Previews

The Women of Apple XXXIV...

Wednesday, 25 May 2016 02:10

APPLE PREVIEW - Minnesota's longest running multi, the Apple Du, will celebrate its 34th birthday on Saturday. It will also feature one of it's deepest fields ever.

Here, we'll tell you about the women's field. We'll talk about the men in a separate post.

In 2015 an unprecedented nine women managed to break the 1:40 on Apple storied 5K- 20.5 mile - 5K course. (Apple was more competitive than Nationals!) Seven of those national class women--Suzie Fox, Sheena Dauer, Kortney Haag, Lisa Lendway, Christina Roberts, Jenn Scudiero and Manuela Knispel--are returning. (Unable to return are 2015 winner Elaine Nelson, who is preggers, and Nicole Heininger, who has relocated to the Southwest.)

Are there at least two more women in this year's field that should break the 100-minute standard?

Yup!  ...

They are: Diane Hankee, a former USAT DOY HM whose PR at Apple in 1:35:08 (2014), Dani Vsetecka, who after crushing the CR at Falls Du will be one of the favorites to win on Saturday, and Sara Carlson, who missed the 1:40 mark by seconds last year.

There are a few other women enrolled who have the potential to challenge the mark, and a few who may sign up later this week. We'd sure like to see Gear West runner-up Angela Kidd on the start line.

So yes, we predict that at least nine women will crack the 1:40 mark.

FYI, you can still get in. For race and registration info, link HERE.

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