Race Coverage
Long Distance Weekend...
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Monday, 11 September 2023 00:10
Photo - Jason Larson at Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin.
IRONMAN 70.3 WISCONSIN - Minnesotans and those with strong MInnesota ties turned in impressive performances last Saturday at Madison 70.3. Leading the way in dominating fashion for the women was former Minnesota Rookie of the Year and Most Improved winner NICOLE HEININGER, who relocated from White Bear Lake to Madison, Wisconsin four years ago. Her time was very brisk--4:32:23--and the victory marked her third half IM win of 2023. On two of those occasions her runner-up was Twin Citizen CARY HERRICK (4:42:59 at Madison), who has podiumed in her last four halves, including a win at Chisago last July.
In addition to her wins at Madison, Milkman and Door County, Heininger also won Sprint Nationals last month. Add these Ws to her regional victories this year makes her, at least in our book, a strong candidate for US Athlete of the Year.
Finishing fifth overall woman her 70.3 debut last Saturday was rising star ELENA HENGEL (4:53:44), whose father CHUCK won the gold medal in the men's 60-64 AG....
Participants Giving Back...
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Wednesday, 06 September 2023 00:10
By Doobie Kurus
If the biggest issue the Hopkins Royal Tri had on race day this year was the lake water level being low forcing an impromptu rest stop on the swim course as sprint athletes walked through the channel before continuing on with their .4 mile swim, then I’ll take it! Everything else was frosting on the cake. Speaking of cake, 85 years young Judy “T-Rex” Rykken was presented with a cake, figurine, and flowers for a recognition of the roughly 200 multisport events she has done over the years. Judy was slated to compete in the tri, but was a late scratch, and decided to come volunteer instead.
People may have also noticed a lot of younger participants this year. People, like Josh Sell, have been making a concerted effort to recruit and prepare the next generation of triathletes. He brought out numerous members of his youth triathlon team..
Blankenheim, Bacigalupi Bring Home Titles...
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Monday, 28 August 2023 00:10
Story & Photos by Kelly Humphrey (Brainerddispatch.com)
BAXTER — Josh Blankenheim of Duluth and Baxter’s Jacquelyn Bacigalupi captured the Lakes Country Triathlon Sunday, Aug. 27, at Whipple Beach....
"Trying Not to Slow Down"...
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Friday, 25 August 2023 00:10
Duluth's SHYANNE MCGREGOR has established herself as one of America's premier amateur long-distance triathletes, especially at the 70.3 distance. Back in May she placed 3rd at Chattanooga, then three weeks ago she won Ironman 70.3 in Augusta Maine. Her time was fast--4:28:25-and admittedly assisted by a downhill river swim. A flat water swim would have yielded a sub-4:40.
She had this to say about her Maine performance on Facebook:
What a day! The swim was fast thanks to the river. The bike was hilly but I felt strong. the run was just me trying to not slow down. Happy to take the overall female amateur win yesterday!
Thank you to my husband for putting up with me when I’m nervous and supporting my dreams.
Thank you to my family and friends for your love, prayers and words of encouragement!
Thank you to my coach @pedrogomestri for preparing me and building a unique plan that works for me. @pgtrisquad
Time to recover and build for the next one!
Here are some of Shyanne's long distance highlights: ...
North Dakotans Excel at 20th Younglife Triathlon...
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Sunday, 20 August 2023 00:10
YOUNGLIFE OLYMPIC & SPRINT COVERAGE - North Dakotans have always supported the Younglife Triathlons, but never like this. Not only were their attendance numbers greater this year, but the lion's share of awards went to Peace Garden Staters. For instance, the Top 2 male finishers in the Olympic race were from Bismarck and Fargo respectively, and three of the Top 4 Olympic women also reside on the west side of the Red River.
The men's winner was JOSH ASKVIG, a perennial winner of his hometown tri, the Bis Man, Josh is also the race director of the Bismarck Marathon. A great guy.
Speaking of great people, Bismarckian MARNIE WALTH placed 2nd for the Olympic women. She is her state's winningest triathlete ever, gender notwithstanding, and has won the Younglife race on multiple occasions, as well as many other Minnesota tris and dus, e.g. Apple Du, Heart of the Lakes, Timberman, Square Lake, Blaine. Yesterday, she finished behind Detroit Lake's tri star CAMI ECKHOFF, Minnesota's Rookie of the Year in 2021 and Most Improved in 2002.
This performance was Cami's 3rd YL victory. She won the Sprint race in 2022 and 2021...
Brooks & Cheryl Again!
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Monday, 14 August 2023 00:10
NORTHWOODS TRIATHLON COVERAGE - Retired star triathlete BRIAN BICH was an eleven-time winner of the Brewhouse Triathlon. TONY SCHILLER has won two races--Heart of the Lakes and Lake Waconia--more than ten times each. JAN GUENTHER, CATHY YNDESTAD and ELAINE NELSON have come very close to doing so as well. Still, the Minnesota triathlete who has more victories at a single race is BROOKS GROSSINGER, who just won the Northwoods Triathlon for the eighteen time last Saturday.
Granted, Brian, Tony, Jan, Cathy and Elaine have double-digit wins, or almost so, at events that are among the most competitive races in our state, while Northwoods' excellence is not based on its competitiveness. Still, eighteen wins at a single race, eighteen wins in eighteen starts no less, is herculean. It demands that the athlete not be injured and that his or her bike is always sound....
