Race Coverage

Wet Work...

Monday, 18 July 2011 03:00

HOLT XXVI Coverage - Twas not a day for records, unless heat index and dew points are the records you're looking for. But that's not what we're talking 'bout here. Purely and simply, it was a tough-ass day, for everyone but that lovable mutant Jan Guenther, who actually enjoys these kinds of extreme conditions, and performances suffered.

It became clear, though "clear" is an odd word to use here, when folks were driving to Annandale on race morning that expectations had to be altered. What appeared to be a ubiquitous ground fog was just saturated air. Viscous, the dankness felt like 10W-30 on the skin.

At 6 AM it was already 80 degrees, but felt like 90. And the dew points were in the mid-70s. And conditions would worsen by the hour....

Still, this is Heart of the Lakes, a social and athletic experience that 10-time champ Tony Schiller says possesses a "...special vibe. There's not other event like it."

Tony's right. And the 1000+ triathletes who make the annual pilgrimage to Annandale know it. Ninety-five percent humidity may dampen their bodies and force them to race conservatively, especially on the run, but it would not be allowed to dampen their spirits. Besides, the extra challenge is something that endurance athletes, and especially triathletes, embrace with both arms, even when they're bitching. That's what it means to endure. And the harder the race, the greater the sense of triumph when the finish line is crossed.

HOLT XXVI marked the final finish line in Betty Meck's multisport career. It was the 80th time the humble 73-year-old from Siren, Wisconsin, had gone the distance in a tri or du. Gonna miss you, Betty, though we suspect that you will attend races occasionally to support your husband, Don, who like yourself, is a Minnesota multisport pioneer. (Sorry about the photo quality. It's all we could find on Google.)

Competitive high points included Dan Hedgecock's convincing victory. It was not only his second victory of the weekend and his 9th straight this season, but his margin over 2010 HOLT champ, Patrick Parish, who placed second yesterday, was a thick 4:37. IN the storied hstory of this great event, only Tony Schiller's 5:02 margin in 1995 was wider. With each dominating win, it is becoming clear that Hedge will be the man to beat at Nationals in five weeks.

Becky Youngberg (photo L) picked up her 3rd consecutive major win Sunday. In bronze position entering T2, she overtook eventual runner-up Jan Guenther, a nine-time winner here, and Suzie Finger in the early miles of the run. Suzie eventually had to settle for fourth as Kortney Haag (photo below) sped by with a mile or so to go. Coming back from an exasperating series of injuries (most recently a cracked rib!), Kort had to be thrilled with her podium effort, the second time she's done so at HOLT.

With a little more than a mile to go, Brian Bich was approximately 40 seconds behind Patrick Parish, who was wilting in the turbid heat. Brian managed to close to within three seconds when PP crossed the finish line. Bich, a six-time winner here, is now 45 and looking ahead to Nationals. He was justifiably pleased with his effort here on Sunday and on his prospects for a successful performance on August 20 in Burlington, Vermont.

Others who had to be pleased with their performances were Josh Blankenheim, whose 5th against the strongest men's tri field of the year, was his best effort ever on this course. Ann Snuggerud placed 6th in the women's race, which like the men's, was the deepest collection of talent yet assembled for a Minnesota multi in 2011. Ann's 2010 season was abbreviated by injury, thus her incredible success this year--3rds at Timberman and Lake Minnetonka and a 5th at Trinona Olympic--must feel redemptive.

Believe it or not, two divisional records did fall on Sunday, courtesy of Ben Ewers (65-69M) and Hank Larsen (70-74M). These guys are total studs!

In the popular short course race, Jill Ellenbecker and Scott Marsh took top honors. It was Jill's 2nd career win. Unsurprisingly, Amy Klosterman and Karen Bebchuk filled out the women's podium. David Goldberg and Matt Priess took 2nd and 3rd in the men's race.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY STUFF - Deb and Leo got married not long ago. Brandon Onopa cut off his mulhawk (BOO HOO!). A really cool girl from Hungary did her first triathlon at HOLT and exuberantly shouted joyful Hungarian words at the finish line. Something like: