Race Previews

Apple Reimagined....

Sunday, 12 May 2024 00:10

2024 Apple Multisport Festival Preview - The Apple Duathlon, America's oldest, most competitive and prestigious pre-pandemic run-bike-run, has been re-imagined. With the decline in duathlon racing nationwide, event organizers have expanded the event to include a pool swim triathlon, a time trial and marathon relay. The new name is APPLE MULTISPORT FESTIVAL, and it's happening next Sunday, not Saturday as in past years. Two-hundredish have already enrolled, and there's still time for you to register. RACE WEBSITE.  ...

Who do we expect to be leading the way in the duathlon? For the men, we believe that five-time Apple podium finisher, inclucing a win back in 2014, BROOKS GROSSINGER will race at the front with local star ANDY ZABEL, who will be trying to defend his 2023 title. Andy's recent 2nd place finish at the Earth Day Half Marathon suggests that he is fit and ready to rock n roll next weekend.

A "blast from the past" should  set the pace for the duathlon women. BECKY YOUNGBERG, who popped into the 2019 Apple after a seven year absence from the multisport scenet, won and set a Masters Record that year. 

Unsurprisingly, the new Apple Triathlon, which features a 500 yard pool swim followed by a 20-mile bike  and 5K on the same outdoor courses used by duathletes, will be the larger of the two mutlis. Clear favorite for the men is PRESTON YOUNGDAHL, who was won 10 of the eleven Minnesota triathlons he's done since returning to the Loon State from Louisiana in 2021. A great Age Group match-up is the one between MARY DEEG and LISA HINES in the 60-64W catefory. We also expect a fast time from JEFF GILMER, 65, who is coming off an AG win at Lake Murray Sprint in South Carolina. Deeg, Gilmer's wife, also won her AG at Lake Murray.

We're also anxious to watch the St. Cloud area's most decorated tri/du-athlete PAM STEVENS, now 71, and 2023 Junior of the Year nominee SEAN PICKLE, 19 (pre-stache photo L), who has grown an inch or three, as well as a dapper new mustache, since the end of the 2023 season.

We hope to see you on May 19th at Sartell Middle School.