Race Previews

Mini-Previews....Saturday, August 10...

Wednesday, 07 August 2019 23:10

The busiest racing weekend of the season is almost here. Slated are six in-state triathlons, a very cool SwimRun event, and the USAT Age Group National Championships. Two of these events have filled--Northwoods, and YWCA Women's Triathlon--so we implore those of you who are not currently signed up for an event this weekend, to select one (or two) of the remaining five races.

It is important that all of these fine races remain on the calendar. 

So, here are the Saturday events, in alpha order:

GREAT UP NORTH TRIATHLON - ASHLEY HALL is the director. She's a very cool person with a very cool mission: to resurrect, and  improve, what used to be known as the Rainy Lake Triathlon. Located in International Falls, this tri's slogan is: "Come For the Race. Stay For the Adventure."

When was the last time you visited International Falls?  RACE WEBSITE...

IGNITE SWIMRUN - Every person who has done a SwimRun raves about the experience. And the Minnesota event, which is held at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, is one of the best in the five-race National Series.  The festivities feature long and short course team events, as well as a Solo, aka "Spark" category. All distances and formats are appropriate for all experience levels, including first-timers.

Check out the event WEBSITE, and try not to drawn into this unique experience.

NORTHWOODS - Celebrating it's 17th anniversary, this Nevis-based sprint event, as always, filled early. BROOKS GROSSINGER is returning, of course. He has won 14 editions of this race, and is our pick to win again on Saturday. MATA AGRE has a two-win streak going. Will she make it three? We are reluctant to make that prediction. Why? Because Bemiji's JESSIE MAHER is enrolled.

Maher was 13th here in 2018, a full eight minutes behind Agre. But Jessie is a vastly improved triathlete this year, as her win at Perham, and her 2nd at Brewhouse Olympic last Sunday clearly show. If the weather is favorable, one or both of these women will dip under the 1:10 mark. We're anxious to see how this battle unfolds.  

SUPERIOR MAN HALF IM - New for this year only was an earlier date, new venue (Leif Erickson Park), limited enrollment (150 half IM participants) and a Lake Superior swim. These changes, as well as not including the companion 41.5 event, were necessitated by the fact that the original venue was not available on the event's traditional date. 

Superior Man is a superior event, one that has won the "Triathletes Choice Race of the Year" award on multiple occasions. There may still be a few slots available. Visit the event's WEBSITE to see if you can still get in. 

AGE GROUP NATIONALS (Cleveland, OH) - We'd love to see a pair of Minnesotans take the overall titles in either (or both) of the Olympic and Sprint races. GABY BUNTEN won Olympic distance Nationals on the same basic course in 2018, but winning twice, especially twice in a row, is a tall order. In this century, Illinois' JEN GARRISION (2006, 2007) and Minnesota's HEATHER LENDWAY (2013, 2014) have posted back-to-back wins, and Gaby is certainly capable of doing it. All the top US amateur women are aware of Gaby, and what she is capable of, so there will definitely be a target on her back.

For the men, we believe that PATRICK PARISH has demonstrated this season that he is ready to add another National title to his resume. He's got seven of them already, though the Olympic distance title is not one of them. Yet! There'sa very good chance he'll change that this weekend.

Gaby and Patrick are but two of our state's athletes that we'll be following online this weekend. Stay tuned for MTN posts about how our state's athletes fared in Cleveland.