Race Coverage

Last Weekend Today....Updated...

Tuesday, 31 January 2023 00:10

Dane Nelson Photo - Alyssa Knese throwing down a breakout performance at Apple.

APPLE & OAKDALE DUATHLONS - The pandemic's "uncertainly" effect on the multisport racing scene was STARKLY evident last weekend, as both the Apple and Oakdale duathlons experienced lower that normal participation. Still, "The Race Must Go On," and there were plenty of positive takeaways. At Apple, which celebrated it's 40th anniversary, Sartell's ANDY ZABEL collected his dozenth career W, doing so in a time that lowered his Apple PR by one second. He and former Apple amateur winner BROOKS GROSSINGER went one-two, managing to stay in front of decorated out-of staters STEPHEN ELES of Colorado and TOM WOODS of Nebraska, guys who cracked the overall Top 10 at last month's Duathlon National Championships.

Finishing 4th between Eles and Woods was 2021 Junior of the Year runner-up / current JOY frontrunner NOAH BILLINGS.  ...

Five-time Master of the Year nominee ANDREA MYERS lived up to her favorite status, finishing 2:11 ahead of surprise runner-up ALYSSA KNESE (pronounced "kah-naze-ee"). 

Thirty-eight athletes completed Apple's companion Sprint race (5K - 15.5K - 200 yd). NOLAN SNYDER, 13, led the way with his 54:25. Ever-Effervescent ANNE HOESCHEN, 49, topped the women's competiton with her 1:02:11. RESULTS

The day after Apple, the Oakdale Du took place in similarly frosty weather. BRYAN TINAJERO  held off fast-closing Iowan MIKE HARDY for the win. Eighteen-year-old ELLA JERDEE won the women's race. Bryan is a real estate professional, Ella is a college student. RESULTS

CHATTANOOGA NORTH AMERICAN 70.3 CHAMPIONSHIP - Minnesota pros TED and DANI TREISE posted 4:06:47 and 4:38:45 respectively at the North American 70.3 Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee last weekend. A pair of Fargoans, one current--ANDREW MANNING--, one former--BRANDEN SCHEEL--, both of whom have raced often and with great success in Minnesota, turned in satisfying performances at Chattanooga. Manning's 4:26:00 landed him in 23rd place overall (5th AG) in the amateur competion. Scheel, who was making his 70.3 pro debut, popped a 4:05:08.

IRONMAN TULSA - PETER WIKMAN and CARYN HERRICK, arguably Minnesota's cutest tri couple, qualified for the Ironman World Championships last weekend in Tulsa. Wikman placed  8th overall / 4th AG in 10:01:59. Herrick's 10:52:48 placed her 6th in the women's race and 3rd in her age group.