by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
David Thompson of St. Paul had some catching up to do. After winning the Sartell Apple Duathlon six times, the last in 2010, he decided it might be time to win it again.
And that’s exactly what he did last Saturday morning. He won the 2014 Apple Duathlon with a time of 1:21:33.
Thompson, a professional triathlete-duathlete, won the Apple in 2004 and 2005 and then four more times in a row, 2007-10.
“What beautiful weather,” Thompson said while resting on a bench right after crossing the finish line to a swirl of congratulations. “I really love the Apple,” he said. “There’s volunteers on every corner, and the whole community supports it. The race is well thought out, and the streets were in pretty good condition. Sartell is definitely a good venue for a duathlon.”
Patrick Parrish, Bloomington, finished second among the men. He was also the winner of the Apple in 2012. Third place was Dan Hedgecock, St. Paul, who was last year’s Apple champion.
About 320 runners-bikers – many from other countries – participated in the Apple.
This year’s overall women’s record-setting champion is two-time Apple winner Ruth Brennan Morrey, 39, Rochester, with a time of 1:26:28. She beat the Apple women’s record by nearly four minutes. Her other win in the race was in 2012. She said she would liked to have competed last year but couldn’t because she, her husband and children were living in England while her husband attended Oxford University.
A mother of three, Brennan Morrey is the USA Triathalon’s Duathlete of the Year for 2013. Like Thompson, she too is a professional triathlete-duathlete who holds a doctorate in psychology.
“This is a great race,” she said, shortly after crossing the finish line. “It’s a very well-run race. And it’s such a beautiful day!”
At one point during the race, Brennan Morrey became a bit concerned because a fellow runner, a woman, had gained on her. The woman seemed very strong and was forging ahead seemingly without much effort. But, after a few minutes, Brenann Morrey regained her lead and held it happily all the way to the finish line.
Second in the race was Dani Fischer of Wausau, Wis. at 1:32:28, and third was Diane Hankee of Lino Lakes, 1:35:07.
In the relay duo race, the winning males were a team dubbed Run ‘n’ Fun from Lakeville with a time of 1:24:35. The winning female team was the Bad Apples from Sartell with a time of 1:51:51.
photo by Dennis Dalman
After dropping off her bike, a duathlete hurries from the Apple Duathlon transition area to run the last lap of the race.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Children wait for the first batch of runners to appear at Sartell Middle School during the Sartell Apple Duathlon.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Quin Woods (left) and his brother, Cooper, sprawl on a boulder while their father, Tom Woods, runs-bikes the Sartell Apple Duathlon. Tom and Marcy Woods and their children drove from Lincoln, Neb. for the Sartell event. Tom crossed the finish line in eighth place overall, with a time of 1:26:40.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Seven-time Sartell Apple Duathlon champion David Thompson of St. Paul smiles shortly after winning the Saturday event.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Ruth Brennan Morrey of Rochester enjoys a bottle of cold water shortly after winning the Apple Duathlon over all the other females who competed. It was her second win; the last was in 2012.
photo by Dennis Dalman
After biking 26 miles, a duathlete arrives at the bicycle transition area of the Sartell Apple Duathlon, ready for the last running lap of the race.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Angela Schroden of St. Cloud and her baby, Jenipea, wait and watch to cheer on members of the Dutri-Team, St. Cloud, in the Sartell Apple Duathlon. Angela’s husband, Mike, is co-owner of Realistic Cycle and Ski.
photo by Dennis Dalman
Taylor and Katrina Krengl, brother and sister, use twigs to construct a mini-log cabin during the Sartell Apple Duathlon. They and their father, Matt, were waiting for their mother, Julia, to finish the race.
