Race Previews
"Fun Size" Challenge....
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Friday, 27 May 2016 00:10
The MTN Guys are glad that the road construction in the southwest Metro has been completed and that the CHASKA TRIATHLON can return to the schedule.
We worry, however, that 2016 CT enrollment will dip, which will jeopardize the event's sponsorship, and ultimately the future of the race.
The reason for our concern is the observation that most events need a few years to bounce back after a cancellation, or if the prior edition of the event had been plagued by yucky weather....
The Men of Apple '16....
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Wednesday, 25 May 2016 03:10
APPLE DUATHLON - In a separate post we predicted that the women's race will be more competitive than ever. In this one, we are saying the same about the men's race.
Here are some of the guys who should go very, very fast on Saturday:
DAVID THOMPSON - Seasoned pro, DKT has raced on this course on seven prior occasions. Guess how many times he's won? That's right: 7! He is the only man to break 1:20 here (1:19:57 in 2010). A win would be the 102nd of his multisport career....
The Women of Apple XXXIV...
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Wednesday, 25 May 2016 02:10
APPLE PREVIEW - Minnesota's longest running multi, the Apple Du, will celebrate its 34th birthday on Saturday. It will also feature one of it's deepest fields ever.
Here, we'll tell you about the women's field. We'll talk about the men in a separate post.
In 2015 an unprecedented nine women managed to break the 1:40 on Apple storied 5K- 20.5 mile - 5K course. (Apple was more competitive than Nationals!) Seven of those national class women--Suzie Fox, Sheena Dauer, Kortney Haag, Lisa Lendway, Christina Roberts, Jenn Scudiero and Manuela Knispel--are returning. (Unable to return are 2015 winner Elaine Nelson, who is preggers, and Nicole Heininger, who has relocated to the Southwest.)
Are there at least two more women in this year's field that should break the 100-minute standard?
Yup! ...
Youth Tri Team & Turtleman Stuff...
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Sunday, 22 May 2016 00:10
By Suzie Fox
This is a dream job for me, to share my passion for triathlon & my experience with kids! All ability levels are welcome are encouraged! Every practice will be held at Minnetonka Middle School East as we will be swimming in their $6.1 million Aquatics Center. Check it out: LINK (link to pool)
Epic Matchup!
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Wednesday, 18 May 2016 00:10
GEAR WEST DU - Last year's Minnesota Triathlete of the Year, Suzie Fox (photo L), was also our state's premier female duathlete, and a USAT DOY HM. She won five run-bike-runs and podiumed in two others. One of her wins was at the Gear West Duathlon, a race she also won in 2013. (She did not race at the 2014 edition of that annual classic.) On paper, she comes into Sunday's GWD as the women's favorite.
It's possible that Suzie's stiffest challenge next weekend will come from a woman who has only done one prior du, and that was at least a decade ago. Her name is Nicole Cueno and she is well known as one of our state's premier distance runners. She's qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials at time or two and was Minnesota's Female Runner of the Year in 2015. ....
Dynamic Dus & Terrific Tris....
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Monday, 16 May 2016 06:10
PREVES - The two most competitive duathlons in the US will take place in the next two weeks, and both of them are contested right here in Minnesota. We're talking about the GEAR WEST DU, the 24th edition of which will take place in Orono next Sunday, and the APPLE DU, at 34, our state's oldest multisport event, the following Saturday.
The competitive reputations of these races can be intimidating to some. That''s too bad.Those folks may perceive the events as being designed only for serious athletes. Not true. Sure, these races have...
