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Apple Duathlon Observations One of the things I really like about the Minnesota race scene is the local races that have courses that match where they are located. Some of my favorites are located in smaller towns that seem to embrace the race. The Apple Duathlon is just such an event. Held in Sartell, a small town that neighbors St. Cloud Minnesota, a little over an hour from the Twin Cities. Apple has been going for over 25 years and this year's race was a fine example of what makes the event a success. The elite race was a qualifier for the world championships so a number of excellent elite athletes were in town. The age group race was also a worlds' qualifier and the level of competition there was impressive as well. In short, the racing was top notch. The event also included a number of folks in their first multisport event and the combination worked pretty well in my eyes. Racing started in earnest at 8:30 with the elite field pictured below. The real question for the men's race was if anyone could stop David Thompson, a multiple time winner of this event. There were certainly challengers including Josh Merrick, Justin Hurd and others.
With David's great bike leg, the race seemed destined to be shaped by the first run. Could any of the great runners put sufficient distance between themselves and David to hold him off on the bike or at least make him work hard enough to hurt his second run. That was the question, particularly for Justin Hurd, who I advise. When the first run ended, David was in the first pack trailing only Josh Merrick by a few seconds. It looked to be David's day. Over the course of the bike, Justin worked hard to keep the gap pretty small. In T2, David led by about 45 seconds and would go on to win. Other athletes pushed the 2nd run and there were some excellent performances throughout.
Just as the elite field was stacked, so too were many of the age groups. Above is the men's 35-39 which included the ultimate age group winner and the 3rd place finisher of the year before. The level of competition was fierce and I was really impressed by the athletes in this age group and most of the others. Anyone who got their worlds qualification at the Apple Duathlon this year surely earned it.
Above is Justin Hurd posing with his apple and check after a strong 2nd place. The Apple Duathlon has been around a long time. Let's hope it stays on the calendar for just as long as it is a great, grass roots race with many of the features we associate with big time events without many of the pitfalls of big events. In short, it has it all. Next year, come on out and race it! |
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February 14 Who says you have to take it easy in the winter? Tony did a great job at the Austin Marathon and set a new PR today. Nice job Tony! February 4 Coach Jason is teaching two classes at GearWest University this Sunday, one on race execution and the other on using power for multisport. January 23 The year is young but the Dig It crew is off to a great start. It was a day for winter running races and PRs as several among the Dig It gang got their year started with personal best runs today, nice job gang! January 17 Riding/racing in the middle of the night on an indoor soccer field? Really? Yeah, really!
January 13 Hey the weather outside isn't frightful, at least here in Minnesota. Who wants to ride?
January 1 Dig It wishes you a happy and successful New Year. December 14 Coach Jason discusses his passion for racing cyclocross despite being bad at it, at least so far.
December 3 Coach Jason reflects on training in the off season.
November 22 Dig It's Dan made his Ironman debut in Tempe at Ironman Arizona. He might have been new at the Ironman distance but Dan was fast and had a great performance. Nice job Dan! November 17 Debi finishes 2nd in the Virginia Triathlon Series, not bad given that she's over 50 racing against women who are literally half her age. You're an inspiration, keep it up! November 14 and 15 Dig It was out at the Minnesota State Cyclocross Champs this past weekend. It was a fun time with great weather, good racing and a general festive atmosphere. Looking forward to next year already. November 7 Scott has a great race at IM Florida, avoiding the sophmore jinx with a huge PR. Nice job Scott! October 17 Dig It athletes can run, and fast at that. Jill sets at major PR at the Whistlestop marathon where Sascha did a great half marathon as well. Maria ran a big PR as well at the Indianapolis Marathon. The dig it gang runs and runs fast! October 3 and 4 Minnesota cyclocross season is underway and rolling. Michael and Coach Jason got their seasons going with some fun and hard racing this weekend.
Michael in action at the Hudson CX. Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com.
Jason at the Planet Bike Orono CX race. Photo courtesy of Seth Iverson Photo.
September 26 It was a wet and tough day for everyone at the ITU World Short Course Duathlon Championships. Dig It athletes were out to play and did what they could on a challenging course in the midst of a downpour.
Debi is among this group of fast ladies before the skys opened again.
Here Justin Hurd closes in on the transition after a speedy first run. September 13 Forrest showed off his great fitness with a 5th overall at the Bad to the Bone Duathlon.
Forrest was indeed bad. Here is runs towards the finish. September 13 Wow, what a day for the Dig It gang. Debi was 12th overall, and 3rd woman, at a sprint tri in Virginia. Maria set a new half marathon PR in Chicago, and Forrest set a 5K PR by over a minute in Kentucky. Oh and then there was Ironman Wisconsin which was the scene of outstanding performances by Andrea, Lindsey and Henry. A successful debut and 2 PRs made it quite the day in Madison. Jason was there to cheer and take it all in.
Here Coach Jason hangs with Andrea after the race.
August 30 Keith completes his first Ironman at IM Kentucky today. On a great weather day, Keith executed a great race making all his time goals. Way to go Keith!
Josh shows his endurnace with a strong run at the Salsa 2-4, yes the 2 and 4 refer to how many hours it lasts. August 16 Dan rocks the fastest run and 2nd overall today at the Northeast Maryland Triathlon, the regional championship. Nice job Dan!
August 3 After a freak accident, Eric shows great perseverance to train for and race strong at the Calgary 70.3.
Looking strong on the bike, Eric moves along on his way to a great finish. July 19 The Dig It gang was throwing down some great performances today. At the Heart of the Lakes Triathlon Jill and Cliff achieved their season goals of making their age group podium, Jill was 2nd and Cliff 3rd on a great Minnesota summer day. At the Door County half IM, Andrea and Lindsey rocked it and showed they are on the way to great races at IM Wisconsin.
Jill and Cliff show off the hardware. June 6 Jennifer crushes her half IM PR today at Mooseman with a well executed race across the board.
May 31 Dig It's friend Justin Hurd captures the US National Long Course Duathlon Championship today in California at the World's Toughest. National Champ baby, that's a good thing to call one's self!
Photo courtesy of Auburn Events May 23-24 What a weekend for the Dig It gang. Excellent performances at the Apple Duathlon in Minnesota.
Here Cliff speeds towards the finish at the Apple Duathlon.
Also, Andrea set a half marathon PR and Forrest got his first duathlon top 10 finish with an AG win, and Jennifer got a 3rd among women and a 2nd in her age group in a sprint triathlon in Utah
Jennifer showing off some hardware! April 26 Coach Jason was in Richmond for USA Triathlon's Duathlon National Championships. It was a hot weekend but the Dig It gang did a great job.
Here Coach Jason poses with Forrest after his race. Forrest got the luck to start at 11:30 on a day that got to well over 90 degrees. Did I mention his race was hot? October 11, 2008 Justin Hurd, who Coach Jason advises, shows shows his strength at IM Hawaii. On a challenging day, for the big island no less, Justin did great in his first attempt at the World Championships as a pro. September 28, 2008 Jason in racing mode at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Italy. It was a fun day of action.
Here the bike awaiting its trusted rider.
September 27, 2008 Jason serves as Assistant Coach with the elite athletes of Team USA at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Rimini, Italy. It was a fun day filled with great competition for Team USA.
Here is the women's team poses for photos immediately after their finish.
October 6 Coach Jason wins the inaugural Kickin' Leaves Duathlon in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The new race had a small field but a great course. Hope everyone can make it there next year.
Jason poses with bike and trophy at home after the race.
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