Race Previews

Lots to Get Excited About...

Monday, 15 May 2017 05:10

GEAR WEST DU PREVIEW - We can't wait for Sunday to get here.

The 26th edition of the Gear West Duathlon is happening that day and there's lots of reasons for us to be excited. The event marks the post-partum return to multisports for GWD amateur record holder ELAINE NELSON. The Duluthian missed the 2016 for gestational reasons and we missed her bigly. Do you know her? In addition to being a national class endurance athlete and pharmacist, she is one of the sweetest members of our species ever.

We hope Elaine brings baby pictures (photo) on Sunday. Her new daughter is named Annalise (Great name!) and she's a doll! She sometimes eats sand.

We are also excited about MAGGIE WEISS' sophomore season kick off performance. Runner-up for ROY in 2016, she was ranked in the 11th- 12th range on Team Minnesota by all the MMA selectors. Look at what athletes like KORTNEY HAAG, HEATHER LENDWAY and DANI VSETECKA accomplished in their second seasons. Kort won the Most improved and ranked 2nd on Team Minnesota. Heather won Nationals in the fastest amateur winner's time ever. And...

Dani established herself as one of the US' premier duathletes and long distance triathletes.

Is Maggie, an occasional tree hugger (photo below), on a similar path? We don't know, but we believe she's capable.

Can she challenge Nelson and defending champ, SUZIE FOX, for the win on Sunday?

We're not ready to predict that. Besides, Suzie flatted at Oakdale and is anxious to return to her winning ways. Of these three pre-race faves, Suzie may be the hungriest, and she may not be content with "just" a win. Weather premitting, she'll attack Nelson's course record like a crazed banshee.

Though three-time GWD champ MATTHEW PAYNE comes into the race as the men's favorite, we suspect that WADE CRUSER will be a late sign-up. On record pace when he flatted last weekend and Oakdale, he is anxious to right that wrong. And he is capable of doing it. He claims to be even faster this year than last, which is saying a lot. He also has 1 1/2 races under his belt this year, whereas Payne has yet to race.

Payne is a two-time US DOY, and in our opinion, should have also won that award in 2016, so we are reluctant to bet against him.

Because the registration list we saw is from last week, we expect that many competitive athletes will be late sign-ups. We're hoping the likes of KORTNEY HAAG, NATHAN ANSBAUGH, NICOLE CUENO, JIM HANNON, ANGELA KIDD, JAN GUENTHER, JULIA WESIBECKER show up on Sunday.

And though the GWD is renowned as one of the most competitive dus in the US, it is a race that encourages the participation of everyone. It's course distances are manageable for newbies and recreational athletes, and they are scenic and very interesting. Yes, the infamous hill on the run course is a real thing, but it shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Take the challenge. You'll be glad you did.

Online registration closes at 11:59 PM on May 20. Race day walk-up registration is available. RACE WEBSITE