The 6th annual Chaska Triathlon will be staged at Fireman's Park (in downtown Chaska) on Saturday. You can still register. An immensely talented 50-year-old--Brett Elizabeth Schulze-- was the women's overall champion here in '08. Don't be surprised if another cinco-genarian wins this year, too. Fourteen-time TT/AA All American Robin Tedlund, 50, of Duluth, will come in as one of the favorites.
On paper, there are two women, both masters, who could keep Robin off the top step of the podium. They are last year's 3rd place finisher Caroline Skaar-Page, 42, of Eden Prairie, and Ann Snuggerud, 41, of Chaska. Ann, a long-time runner who has dabbled in tris/dus in the past (she was 40th at the inaugural Chaska Tri in 2003 and has twice participated in the Iron Girl Duathlon), has become a serious multisportswoman this year. Her 2009 resume is impressive, especially her efforts at Timberman (6th) and Lake Minnetonka (5th).
Ann Snuggerud should win her first tri on Saturday.
A Chaska resident should take the men's crown, too. Nineteen-year-old MJet Nick Madrinich should lower the event's 19U course record, a 1:15:12 set by 2003 Chaska champ Alex Hooke, en route to the first win of his budding career. He should get a nice push from Chris Frykman, 32, of Minneapolis, Jim Felling, 30, of River Falls, WI and Matt Des Marais, 24, of St. Paul.
Approximately 300 triathletes will participate in this year's race.
