Apple Duathlon
Sartell, Minnesota
May 31, 2003
10k run, 42k bike, 5k run
Complete Results

Story by Jerry MacNeil
Minnesota masters Jan Guenther, 44, and Derek Hager, 42, turned in stunning efforts at the 21st Apple Duathlon on May 31. Guenther, who won this race in course record time in 2002, finished second this time around. Her 2:11:47 was only 34 seconds off the time recorded by Winnepeg, Manitoba's formidable Erica Stechesen, who is undefeated in duathlon action (4 for 4) thus far in 2003.

Hager collected his second consecutive masters crown at Apple with a stellar 1:58:56, which was only 45 seconds off the winning time posted by Milwaukee's Jim Pingel. Rounding out the top five for the men were 2002 Apple winner Michael Hay (2nd) of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Michael Stoick (3rd) of St. Paul, and Minneapolis's Chuck Smith (5th).

Third thru five respectively in the women's race went to '03 Gear West winner Kim Fordham-Lien of Aberdeen, SD, Kristin Miller, 40, of West Lakeland & rising star Molly Cochran, of Lakeville.

The following athletes set divisional records at the Apple Duathlon Worlds Qualifier on May 31: Erin Braun, 18, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jan Tripp, 50, of Laytonsville, MD, Don Ardell, 65, of Tampa, FL and Al Treichel, 74, of Spring Hill, FL.

Braun's 2:20:37 lowered the junior women's CR by a hefty 8:12. Tripp's 2:21:50 was 5:19 faster than her division's previous mark. Ardell's remarkable 2:19:56 took a 7:12 bite out of the men's 65-69 prior record. And Treichel's 2:45:57 was 4:04 better than the men's 70-74 mark he set in 2002.

Flawlessly produced, the Apple Duathlon served as a Team USA qualifier for the 2003 World Du Champs in Alferton, Switzerland in late August. It was also the second race of the 10-event Midwest Multisport Series.