By Kris Swarthout
The TriNordique Winter Triathlon can be summed up in one word, "Challenging," though the weather could not have been more perfect, with temps in the low to mid 20s and no wind.
Athletes were challenged by an anything-but-easy course of freshly groomed trails. many racers discovered that winter triathlon requires some different equipment and skills not associated with normal triathlon. Good spirits, guts and sheer will power carried athletes through the day.
The race staff was challenged with executing a first-time event. Lessons were learned and preparations for a modified/easier" and better-marked course are already in the works for next year
In the end a good time was had by most. Winter triathlon and Minnesota seem to be a perfect fit. The staff at TriNordique look forward to next year's event and showing off all the changes and improvements learned from this year's race.
(NOTE: TriNordique was staged at Elm Creek Park Reserve and consisted of a 7.6K run, 15K bike and 7.5K XC ski. The event also featured a kids duathlon.)
