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Best of the Run-Bike-Runners...

Tuesday, 13 October 2015 00:10

Photo (L-R) - National class duathletes Lisa Lendway, Suzie Fox and Elaine Nelson. Lisa and Suzie are DOY nominees.

MINNESOTA MULTISPORT AWARDS - Determining the DUATHLETE OF THE YEAR nominees was more difficult this year than ever before. Never has there been so many great athletes to choose from. Twice in the past we have had to amend the criteria to allow athletes with two outstanding du performances, not three or more, to be considered. We are not doing that this year because many athletes have turned in...

three-or-more stellar run-bike-run efforts. Unfortunately, this means that at least two of our state's best du-ers, KEVIN O'CONNOR and ELAINE NELSON, are not eligible for nomination. Kevin and Elaine only raced in two dus apiece (KO actually raced in three dus, but a potty stop in one of them nullified that performance), but their performances were among the best du efforts turned in in the US in 2015. Kevin won Sprint Nationals and won and set a masters CR at Fall Classic. Elaine won the Apple Duathlon, beating arguably the deepest women's field of the season, Nationals included. She placed 3rd at Gear West in spite of cramping issues. Unfortunately, allowing Kevin and Elaine to be included in the DOY conversation would be unfair to those who raced well in more than two races. We nevertheless want to applaud Kevin and Elaine for their excellence in this sport.

Here are the official nominees and their 2015 Du highlights:

SUZIE FOX, 31, Chaska

1st @ Gear West

1st @ Falls Du - CR

1st @ Lake Minnetonka Du

1st @ Maple Grove Du

1st @ Central Lakes Cylcling Du - CR

2nd @ Oakdale Du

2nd @ Apple Du

BROOKS GROSSINGER, 37, Mayer (photo R)

1st @ Lake Minnetonka Du

2nd amateur / 3rd overall @ Apple

2nd amateur / 3rd overall @ Gear West

LISA LENDWAY, 34, St. Paul

1st @  Cinco Du Mayo Sprint - CR

2nd @ Gear West Du

5th @ Apple Du

MATTHEW PAYNE, 38, Columbia Heights (photo above L)

1st @ Duathlon National Championships

1st @ Apple Duathlon - Amateur CR

1st amateur / 2nd overall @ Gear West

Also receiving serious consideration were, in alpha order: DIANE HANKEE, NICOLE HEININGER, NATE HOFFMAN, BENNETT ISABELLA, MANUELA KNISPEL, KEVIN O'CONNOR, BRIAN SAMES and JENNIFER SCUDIERO.