Race Coverage

Minnesotans Impress at Des Moines 70.3!

Thursday, 19 February 2026 00:10

Minnesota triathletes took 10 spots in the Top 25 at IRONMAN 70.3 DES MOINES last Sunday, starting with NATHAN KIM's personal best 4:06:38. The Nemeth boys from Sartell are emerging stars.

Minnesota Men:

3rd – NATHAN KIM, 23, Minneapolis – 4:06:38 (PR! Prior Best: 4:11:50)...

7th – WILL NEMETH, 18, Sartell – 4:16:38 (PR! - Former Best: 4:36:58)
(Will popped a 2:33:35 at the Boston Marathon in April!)

10th – DAVID KOPPEL, 39, Maple Grove – 4:21:35

11th – BROOKS GROSSINGER, 48, Mayer – 4:24:24 (1st AG)

14th – ANDY WIBERG, 47, Lakeville – 4:26:33

15th – DAN ARLANDSON, 48, Burnsville – 4:27:03

17th – BRANDON LEE, 43, Lino Lakes – 4:27:09

19th – JOHNNY NEMETH, 19, Sartell – 4:29:09 (PR! Former Best: 4:40:47)

22nd – BUDDY CASTELLANO, 35-39, Blaine – 4:30:55

25th – DAVID CARNEY, 53, Coon Rapids – 4:31:47 (PR! Former Best: 4:37:02. 1st AG)

Minnesota women were also suoer  impressive at Des Moines, taking 8 of the Top 25 spots, starting with CAMI ECKHOFF's 2nd place overall finish in personal best 4:46:03.

Minnesota Women:

2nd – CAMI ECKHOFF, 39, Detroit Lakes (photo) – 4:46:03 (PR! - Prior Best – 4:52:55)

4th - ELENA JASPER, 28, Deephaven – 4:47:37 (PR! - Prior Best - 4:47:40)

10th – MELISSA GOBLE, 42, Brainerd – 5:02:14 (PR! - Prior Best – 5:07:17)

14th – BECKY YOUNGBERG, 50, Shakopee – 5:08:52 (2nd AG)

15th – GRACE BUSCH, 22, Mankato – 5:08:53 (70.3 Debut)

18th – ARIANNA WERTS, 24, Rochester – 5:13:12

19th – EMMA ADRIAENS, 37, Elk River – 5:13:15 

24th – ELIZABETH SWARTOUT, 42, 5:20:35 – (PR! - Prior Best – 5:26:01)

Also: Minnesota Men took 1st (Thad Ingersoll – 4:40:50) and 3rd (David Holden – 4:45:57) in the 55-59 age group.