Race Previews
Apple Podium Picks - Men...UPDATED AGAIN...
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Saturday, 18 May 2019 23:10
37th APPLE DUATHLON - Today we are evaluating Apple's men's competition. We'll discuss the women's race in a future post.
Though they were not enrolled when we glanced at the registration list last week, we are assuming that past champions WADE CRUSER and JESSON BAUMGARTNER will be on the starting line next Saturday, where they will face another former winner, and current Duathlon National Champion, PATRICK PARISH.
These three guys will not be the only talented men in the field, not by a long shot, but we believe that unless, say, Michigan's World and National champion TODD BUCKINGHAM, who placed second here in 2018, shows up, that Jesson, Wade and Patrick will claim the podium spots and the prize money that goes with them.
Here are their highlights:
JESSON BAUMGARTNER, 37, Rochester
- 2018 Minnesota Duathlete of the Year
- 1st @ 2013 Ottawa Duathlon Worlds
- 1st @ 2018 Apple - 1:21:17 (3rd fastest amateur time ever)
WADE CRUSER, 32, Sauk Rapids (top phoo)
- 2018 Minnesota Triathlete of the Year
- 2017 Minnesota Duathlete of the Year
- 14 Career wins
- 3rd @ 2017 Duathlon Nationals
- 1st @ 2017 Apple
- 3rd @ 2018 & 2016 Apple
PATRICK PARISH, 34 Minneapolis (photo R)
- 36 career multisport wins
- Winner of 7 National Championship titles
- 1st @ 2019 Standard Distance Duathlon Nationals
- 1st @ 2012 Apple Duathlon - 1:21:04 (#2 amateur time ever)
- 1st (amateur) @ 2010 Apple
- 2nd @ Apple in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Who is our pick to win, and who are some of the currently enrolled guys who will push Jesson, Wade and Patrick to fast times?
We give a slight edge to Parish, here. He's a bit more rust-free than his rivals at this point in the season?
And if any of the Big 3 falter, guys like KRIS SPOTH (3rd here in 2017), KEVIN O'CONNOR (2-time Top 5 here), BROOKS GROSSINGER (three podiums here, including an amateur win in 2014) and NATE HOFFMAN (2014 Sprint Du National Champion; 4th here in 2015) could take their spot.
Apple is perennially the most competitive non-National Championship duathlon in the U.S., but it as equally well known for being an event that serves recreational athletes. Staged in Sartell, the Apple reeks of small town charm and hospitality. Have you signed up yet? EVENT WEBSITE
UPDATE - Not long ago we received this email from Wade Cruser explaining that he wil not be racing at Apple: Didn’t get much training in during the wrestling season. It will be a bit before I’m fit enough to compete. I plan on swing by and seeing how the race unfolds.
ED. Bummer..
2nd UPDATE: We just learned that 2018 Standard Distance Duathlon National Champion ALEX ARMAN of Boulder, Colorado has registered.
3rd UPDATE: Illinois' RYAN GIULIANO is registered. The reigning Ironman Wisconsin champions is a THREE-TIME amateur winneer at Apple, doing so in 2009, 2007 and 2006.
