Race Coverage

Runners Rock at Lakes Country XXIV...

Monday, 26 August 2024 00:10

LAKES COUNTRY TRIATHLON - SPENCER SYVERTSON had a 44-second lead on defending champion JOSH BLANKENHEIM when he entered T2. Over the final 3.2 pedestrian miles, Spencer could only give up 13-seconds per mile is he was to going to keep Blank from winning again. And after Syvertson's stunning victory over Josh at Brewhouse, an effort that is worthy of a Performance of the Year nomination, it looked like Blank would have to settle for 2nd this time around.

Spencer looked strong when he embarked on the run, but would his 5:50 miles be enough? Then Blank, who started in the wave after Spence dismounted. He was fresh and ready to run fast, which he did. Low 5:30s. With each mile, he erased another 19 seconds. The final result was a 16-second win for Blankenheim. Josh has three Ws in four starts this season. Spencer's 2024 scorecard also boasts three wins, to go with two 2nds.

Also enjoying a successful season is JASON CRISP, who matched his 3rd place 2023 finish, albeit in a superior effort. Unsurprisingly, two-time Junior of the Year nominee SEAN PICKLE placed 4th, also in a performance that exceeded his 2023 effort, which was an AG record. (NOTE: This year's course was shortened due to road construction. When we say that peformances are superior, we are evaluation pace.)

While the men's race was involved some nail biting, the women's competition was a runaway. Last year's runner-up MELISSA GOBLE moved to the front on the bike and widened her lead with every passing mile, especially on the run. Despite launching in the final wave, three minutes behind 39&U women, she crossed first, and had plenty of time to recover before LISA HINES claimed 2nd, and JEN BIRKMEIER took 3rd. Goble's 2023 time was 1:11:35. Her clocking on Sunday was 1:08:44, an eqivalent of a 1:10 on the regular course. Nice improvement. Melissa is training for next months Ironman Worlds in Nice, France.

Weather was accommodating for the 129-entrant race that was celebrating its 24th anniversary. The Sertoma club did an excellent job of executing the event. Hopefully in the future, the LCT won't have to share the weekend with Maple Grove, our state's largest and most competitive multisport event. Lakes Country deserves to be one of our state's most popular "destination" triathlons.  RESULTS

MinnCam Photo: Michael Hushagen (12th place overall & very cool guy!)