(Photos: Mark Carey and Cathy Yndestad are our state's fastest irondude and irondudette of the decade thus far.)
Our research suggests that the athletes listed below are the 10 fastest male and female Minnesotans at iron-distance since the turn of the millennium. Let us know if we missed anyone.
(OOPS! Apologies to Sarah Mercer, who turned in three sub -11 hour IM efforts during the decade.)
Note the presence of uber-masters Greg Taylor, Jan Guenther, Sue Rubens and Melinda Silbernick on this august list.
TOP 10 FASTEST MEN:
1. - 9:11:41 - Mark Carey, 37, Rochester (Ironman Florida '07)
2. - 9:13:10 - Dan Arlandson, 33, Burnsville (Full Vineman '09)3. - 9:13:42 - Dan Arlandson, 32, Mendota Heights (Ironman Florida '08)
4. - 9:17:54 - Mark Carey, 31, Rochester (Ironman Florida '01)
5. - 9:17:55 - Dan Arlandson, 32, Mendota Heights (Full Vineman '08)
6. - 9:26:19 - Mark Carey, 39, Rochester (Ironman Louisville '09)
7. - 9:30:19 - Greg Taylor, 48, Mankato (Ironman Florida '02)
8. - 9:35:13 - Kevin O'Connor, 36, Corcoran (Hawaiian Ironman '07)
9. - 9:37:20 - Greg Taylor, 51, Mankato (Hawaiian Ironman '05)
10. - 9:37:43 - Rod Raymond, 36, Duluth (Hawaiian Ironman '00)
NOTE: Edina's Josh Riff has a IM PR of 9:27, but it was set before his relocation to Minnesota.
WOMEN:
1. - 10:12:56 - Cathy Yndestad, 29, Apple Valley (Ironman Florida '07)
2. - 10:14:31 - Sue Rubens, 41, Plymouth (Ironman Florida '07)
3. - 10:20:13 - Becky Burdick, 33, Plymouth (Ironman Florida '05)
4. - 10:22:47 - Melinda Silbernick, 47, Maple Grove (Ironman Florida '02)
5. - 10:23:26 - Tina Paulson, 36, Andover (Ironman Wisconsin '02)
6. - 10:24:47 - Jan Guenther, 42, Mound (Ironman Wisconsin '02)
7. - 10:24:57 - Sarah Mercer, 32, Golden Valley (Ironman Canada '01)
8. - 10:26:44 - Sue Rubens, 43, Plymouth (Ironman Canada '09)
9. - 10:27:23 - Catherine Lee, 32, Chanhassen (Ironman Arizona '06)
10. - 10:28:19 - Jan Guenther, 50, Mound (Ironman Wisconsin '09)
Other Sub -11 Hour Minnesota Women:
10:32:12 - Julie Hull, 36, Farmington (Ironman Florida '08)
10:35:59 - Sarah Mercer, 38, Golden Valley (Ironman Wisconsin '07)
10:37:38 - Pam Nielsen, 32, Minnetonka (Ironman Arizona '08)
10:42:28 - Robyn Wangberg, 29, Winona (Ironman Canada '08)
10:45:00 - Catherine Lee, 32, Chanhassen (Hawaiian Ironman '06)
10:46:45 - Cathy Yndestad, 30, Apple Valley (Hawaii Ironman '08)
10:49:17 - Melinda Silbernick, 49, Maple Grove (Ironman Wisconsin '04)
10:49:18 - Sarah Mercer, 39, Golden Valley (Hawaiian Ironman '08)
10:49:34 - Jan Guenther, 43, Mound (Hawaiian Ironman '03)
10:52:21 - Pam Nielsen, 33, Minnetonka (Ironman Wisconsin '09)
10:54:18 - Merilee Sander, 48, Northfield (Ironman Arizona '08)
