Race Previews

Preston & Stephanie Are 2025 Fairmont Favorites...

Wednesday, 18 June 2025 00:10

Photo - Erica Benson finishing strong at Fairmont '24.

2025 Fairmont Sprint Triathlon Preview - TEVIN NEEGAARD's brilliant course record --54:32--at the umpteenth Fairmont Sprint last year put him squarely on the "tri radar" in our region. The heretofore unknown, in elite circles, that is, went on to claim the well-deserved 2024 Most Improve Male honor. And though he was not on the partial list of entrants that we saw on Monday, we wouldn't be surprised if he raced on Saturday. This race was his launching pad, after all.

If Tevin makes it to Gomsrud Park and were to better his 2024 time, that probably wouldn't be enough to win the race. Why? Because three-time Minnesota Triathlete of the Year PRESTON YOUNGDAHL has signed up. Preston has proven to be unbeatable in Sprint and Olympic in our region since his return to his home state from Louisiana in 2021.

Other men's podium hopefuls include two-time Junior of the Year NOAH BILLINGS, 19, three-time JOY nominee SEAN PICKLE, 20, and ageless and ubiquitous KEVIN MITCHELL, now 55, who won this race in 2023 and 2022. In 2021, he placed 2nd behind Billings....

2023 Minnesota Master of the Year nominee STEPHANIE PETERSON comes into Saturday's race as the women's favorite. She's won this race an unprecedented seven times. Her favored status is not set in stone, though, because it's possible she'll be challenged by a late registrant or two. It's possible that talented southern Minnesotans like GRACE BUSCH, KRIS ANDERSON and CHANTAL NACK may decide to race, as well as a credentialled South Dakota athlete (e.g. TERESA VAN HYFTE) or two.

This year's Fairmont Tri is shaping up to be one of its most competitive and exciting yet. RACE WEBSITE