(Photos: Top - Brook Mutzenberger at Turtleman courtesy of YndeCam.Com. Below R - Canadian star Edie Fisher. Photo from markallenonline.com.)
Who will win the 10th edition of the Square Lake (short course)Triathlon? And what is the likelihood of new course records being set?On paper, the clear favorites are Patrick Parish and Brook Mutzenberger, both of whom could challenge their gender's course record. Parish, who has won five races in his first two seasons in the Sport, certainly has the speed to take down Neil Miller's 1:22:19 (2007), but a 1:24 should be good enough against the competition he'll face on Saturday.
Marnie Walth's women's CR 1:30:53 will be a tough nut to crack, and Mutzenberger, who is tuning up for the Best of the US Championship in California on September 27, should come close. Cathy Yndestad (2004) and Sarah Kolpin (2005) have come within 2 minutes.Brook should do likewise.
In the AGs, look for 50-year-old Robin Tedlund, outright winner here in 2003, and Pam Stevens, 57, to set new standards in their divisions.
The men's long course course records--overall CR of 4:01:25 set by Colorado pro Kirk Nelson in 2007 and the amateur mark, a 4:03:52 set by Ontario's Danny Morwood in 2004--should be challenged on Sunday by Burnsville's Dan Arlandson. Arlandson was top amateur here in 2007; his time was 4:07:23. He appears to be fitter and faster this year and if weather permits--wind, rain and cool temps are not uncommon at the Square Lake Half--he may even crack the 4-hour mark. If he's able to to do that, don't be surprised if he dips under 9 hours at his target race, Ironman Florida, in November.
Other men who should turn in impressive, i.e. 4:10-4:20, times on Sunday are reigning 45-49M National Champion Rhett Bonner of Duluth, who should significantly lower David Cihasky's six-year-old masters best (4:24:34), 2008 Square Lake champ Chris Leiferman of Truman, MN, and Richfield's Steve Sander, who's enjoying a breakout season.
The women's CR--4:33:26--was set in 2007 by Duluth' s Marlo McGaver. It should be safe for another year. This year's winning time will likely be in the 4:50s and don't be surprised if 52-year-old Canadian star Edie Fisher * comes out on top. Fisher, 3rd here in '08 in 4:54:22, should be challenged by Burnsville's Julia Lyng and St. Paul's emerging Katherine Schlaefer, whose recent results suggest that she is in PR shape.
* Edie Fisher, 52, Kenora, ONT - Long Course Career Highlights:
- 1st 50-54 @ 2009 California 70.3 (5:11:32)
- 2nd overall @ 2009 Chinook Half IM (Calgary)
- 2nd overall @ 2007 Pigman Half (5:00:20)
- 3rd overall @ 2008 Square Lake Half (4:54:22)
- 4th amateur/ 2nd master / 1st 45-49 @ Ironman Wisconsin '06 (11:07:58)
- Divisional wins at Ironman Canada in 1997, 2000, 2002 (PR - 10:46:25 -'97)
- Divisional win @ 2007 Spirit of Racine (4:46:33)
- 1st Division / 7th overall at 2006 Liberty Half (5:16:43)
- 2nd Division @ 2007 Hawaiian Ironman World Championship (11:07:28)
- 2nd Division @ 2008 Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3
