Race Coverage

Epic!

Tuesday, 29 June 2010 05:30

Some have wondered if the men's field depth at this year's Gear West Duathlon would be eclipsed this season. It was certainly feasible that it would not.

But it was...

Sunday's Lake Waconia Triathlon, the 21st edition of that annual classic, drew an elite male assemblage that basically matched GW's, then added the decorated likes of Kevin O'Connor, Brian Bich, Matt Payne, Dan Cohen, Curt Wood and others.

Will Heart of the Lakes or Turtleman be able to match LWT's men's field?

We sure hope so.

We hope to see another race this year that was as flat-out thrilling as the one we witnessed on Sunday. It was what the old timers would have called it a barn burner, or maybe a donnybrook. It was epic and much more memorable than most races. It was a perfect reminder that triathlon, even the amateur variety, deserves to have fans.

The Top Three finishers, male and female, would earn automatic invitations to represent Minnesota at the Best of the US National Championship in Mission Viejo, California on October 10. The next two finishers from each gender are in line for passdown slots. Whatever combination of our state's men decide to make the trip to SOCAL it is reasonable to assume that they will be among the Top 2-3 teams in attendance. (Yes, the women's team will be great, too. But that is a separate story.)

The lake was uncharacteristically flat and warm. The wind was uncharacteristically unobtrusive. The heat that many worried about never really materialized. It was a toasty morning, to be sure, but without being broiling or suffocatingly humid. The times would be fast, but the weather would have little to do with it.

This race was ALL about field quality.

It was Curt Wood's return to racing since the birth of his first of many desired children--Sebastian, aka "Sea-Bass" (isn't that cute!)--and he appeared rust-free for the first two legs. The lead for the former LWT runner-up (2007) coming out of T2 was substantial. Unfortunately, most of the first dozen guys who dismounted shortly after Curt were strong runners.

How strong? Well, when the dust cleared, Curt had to settle for 12th. His time was good, a 1:25, but five guys would go under 1:22:48, Brian Bich's old course record.

Leading the way at LWT and, at this point, for the 2010 Triathlete of the Year award, was 25-year-old Patrick Parish (photo top left), who is undefeated in amateur racing this season. His record-smashing 1:21:35 was his 2nd CR this year. Patrick now owns 10 career wins, half of which have been posted in '10.

Last year's runner-up Kevin O'Connor (photo top center) gave Parish a great race and repeated as 2nd place finisher, his time (1:21:54) 1:09 faster than in 2009.

RochesterFest champ Alex Hooke (photo top right) earned the final BOUS invitation with his 1:22:08. Noise Rock enthusiast Matt Payne (1:22:22) and six-time Lake Waconia victor Brian Bish (phonetic spelling) (1:22:39) took fourth and fifth.

After Brian passed under the final inflatable, the protracted parade of elite men rumbling down from Cemetary Hill went on for several minutes. They were followed by the rest of the LWT field, most of whom were pulled to personal best efforts. The mood at the venue was festive and palpably triumphant.

Sunday, June 28 was a special day for Minnesota's triathletes. And fans of the sport, as well.

FYI, Steve "Dances with Dudes" Sanders (photo) finished 8th. Why did we post this pic? We think it's totally cool.

Race Director Marvin Denzer, his chief counsel Tom K and Waconia's wonderful volunteering townsfolk have produced another masterpiece. This may have been the best LWT yet? RESULTS