Race Coverage

The Course Record Stuck in My Mind...

Friday, 22 August 2025 00:10

By Spencer Syvertson

2025 Northwoods Tri Race Report - I added the Northwoods triathlon to my race calendar thanks to the recommendation by Mitch Clayton. At the start line, Mitch and I looked at each other and asked where the other three guys were that had been mentioned in the race preview. It turns out we unfortunately had multiple no-shows. Mitch said he wanted to go sub 1 hour and then asked me what my goal was. I told him that 57:06 is the course record and I have that stuck in my mind.

The swim was quick and smooth as usual. I hopped on my bike and put my head down to follow the lead vehicle. One of my rules when I race is that I don’t touch my brakes until the dismount line to T2. That meant I had to ride around the car that pulled in between me and the lead vehicle before a curve in the road. After that the rest of the ride was smooth sailing. Eventually I made it to the highlight: downtown Nevis. It was so fun to be hammering down Main Street on my bike while spectators were lined up and down the road....

Before the race I knew I needed to be at 39 minutes at the start of the run. My watch showed 38:50 and I told myself to get to work and battle the clock. I turned the cone halfway and my mental math said that I was exactly on pace for tying 57:06. Turns out that was accurate this time! I high-fived my dad at the last intersection with extra time to spare. Turns out that was wrong, the finish line was another 200 meters away and I could see the digital clock. I burned everything I had left and barely grabbed a new course record by 5 seconds in 57:01! Next into the finish chute was Mitch with his sub 1 hour effort, and Nick Jasmer in 3rd.

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for a quick sprint tri in the middle of a vacation weekend up north!