Race Previews

Apple Du XXXVII - AG Predictions...

Wednesday, 22 May 2019 23:10

As promised, here are our picks to claim the Age Group titles at this Saturday's APPLE DUATHLON, seven of whom are in the top photo....

00-19 – Boy's AG Record – 1:30:52 , Girl's AG Record – 1:42:03. Our pick to repeat is 2018 boy's champ here is Oronoco's ANDREW NOVAK. Nick Klonne's 1:30:52 record set in 2015 is stout, and should stand for at least another year. But Novak could get close, perhaps a 1:34. It is our belief that the girl who will share the podium with Andrew will be a late registrant.

40-44 – Men's AG Record – 1:23:56, Women's AG Record – 1:35:48. Our clear picks to take this category are DIANE HANKEEand BROOKS GROSSINGER. Brooks' best time here is 1:23:30, which he posted in 2015 at the age of 37. Taking down Peter Skorseth's national-caliber record is a tall order. We'd love to see it happen, but we're not ready to predict that it will. As for Hankee, we think she'll win the overall women's title, and yes, Marnie Walth's 10-year-old AG record is in jeopardy.

45-49 – Men's AG Record – 1:27:38, Women's AG Record – 1:37:58. KEVIN O'CONNOR owns the men's record and is returning as favorite to win the category, and perhaps even reset the record. As with the junior girls, we do expect the women's 45-49 AG to be won by a late registrant. 

50-54 – Men's AG Record – 1:29:24, Women's AG Record – 1:40:21 -ROB MADGWICKhas won this category the last three years. Yes, we predict a four-peat. The record, set by decorated duathlete Andy Ames of Colorado in 2013, appears safe. As for the women, we are predicting a three-peat for AMY WOOLSEY (photo R). The current record was set by Jan Guenther in 2009 and will probably stand until 3009.

55-59 – Men's AG Record – 1:29:29, Women's AG Record – 1:51:30 – Our picks here are KEVIN GRAFFTand JUDY MURRAY. Murray has won her AG each of the last five years. Once again, every existing Apple record is national level, thus James Hannon's and Pam Stevens' should stand, unless Jan Guenther decides to show up.

60-64 – Men's AG Record – 1:29:24, Women's AG Record – 1:56:56. Our picks here, based on the last registration list we saw, are LARRY STRACKE and LAURIE PEYTON.

65-69 – Men's AG Record – 1:38:51, Women's AG Record – 2:02:53 –The men's race should be tight. We give veteran run-bike-runner LUKE HARNED a slight edge over for GMOY nominee LEN KLUN. PAM STEVENS is returning, and yes the AG record, which she set last year, is on shaky ground. The men's mark, set by Wisconsin's Kerry Mayer in 2013, appears safe.

70-74 – Men's AG Record – 150:56, Women's AG Record – 2:34:30. Our picks are ROBERT DAHL, a divisional winner here in 2016, and NANCY BAUER, if she decides to register. 

75-79 – Men's AG Record – 2:11:38. Race founder and long-time director DARYL STEVENS should take home the coveted granite apple.

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