(Chisago City, MN - July 26, 2009) Minneapolis residents Patrick Parish and Susan Williams won the fourth annual Chisago Lakes Sprint on Sunday. For Parish, it was his 5th career victory, and perhaps his sweetest. It was the 2nd time that Susan Williams has climbed the highest step on the podium..
The race for 2nd for the men was exciting, as Duluth's Josh Blankenheim ran out of race course in the attempt to reel-in eventual runner-up Scott Penticoff of Woodbury. Just three seconds separated these adversaries. For Blankenheim, it was his 3rd consecutive podium finish at CLS. For Penticoff, a three-time Minnesota Most Improved nominee, it was his 2nd appearance at Chisago. He was fourth in 2008 in the half (4:12:49).
St. Paul's Anton Pshon and Minneapolis' Tyler Olson rounded out the men's top 5.
Williams has raced consistently well throughout her seven-year tri career but hasn't posted a victory since September 3, 2005. All that changed on Sunday. Racing within spitting distance of each other through the first two segments (1/3 mile swim, 22-mile bike), the long-legged Williams separated herself from eventual runner-up Mary Beth Tuttle of Pine Springs, over during the 3.3 mile run. Her eventual margin of victory over MBT, the 2007 CLS champ, was 46 seconds.
St. Paul's Tracie Kent, Minneapolis' Sarah Viamonte and Illinois' Mary Ann Butzke grabbed the next three places.
The Chisago Lakes Sprint and Half drew 1300 participants.
(File Photo: Patrick Parish en route to a 2nd place amateur finish at Minneman '09. )
Chisago Lakes Sprint Results:
