Race Coverage
Sauk Rapidsians Kick Butt at COLT...
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Saturday, 06 May 2017 05:10
CHAIN OF LAKES TRIATHLON - The 16th edition of this race happened yesterday. Racing conditions were favorable (55-60 degrees, light wind, sunny) and 63 athletes crossed the finish line....
Our pre-race predictions were half-right. AMY WOOLSEY, the statuesque professional air guitarist from Sauk Rapids, did repeat as women's winner, doing so rather handily. Her margin of victory was 3:16.
Last year's bronze medalist, MARY DEEG, who like Amy is very tall and extremely likable, took the silver this time around. Decorated Sartellian PAMMY STEVENS claimed the final podium spot.
As in 2016, Masters and Grand Masters rocked the Top 5 women's places. Last year the average age of a Top 5er was 55. How cool is that! This year, the average dipped slightly to 53.
We predicted that COREY NYGAARD would win the men's race. He placed 3rd, same as 2016, but went much faster this time around.
In our defense, the Top 2 male finishers were later sign-ups. Fargo's fleet footed BRANDEN SCHEEL came out on top, his 56:35 bettering DAVID LEWIS' runner-up clocking by 1:19. Lewis' outstanding 57:54 was the fastest men's masters clocking here since TAGGART DOWNARE's 57:11-CR back in 2011.
Arguably the performance of the day belonged to 60-year-old Sauk Rapidsian, LARRY STRACKE. His outstanding 1:30:36 was only four seconds off NEIL KING's 60-64M course record, set in 2012. That's high praise indeed knowing that King is a national classer and perennial Minnesota Grand Master of the Year nominee. He won that award in 2015.
Photo (L-R) - Chris Nehring (5th place), Pam Stevens (3rd), Amy Woolsey (1st - again!)
