Results

Pickle Events is our official timing and results company.

• 2010: View Results Online.
• 2009: View Results Online or as a text file.
• 2008: View Results Online or as a text file.

Photos

Our 2010 Official Race Photographer is Minnefota Moments. After the race, visit minnefotamoments.com to find your photos. The most economical option for racers is to order an email digital version for $10. You can also get 5x7's and 6x8's for $12. 8x10's and CD's are $15. Compare to $25-40+ for other companies! We want you to remember your day of TRIumph!

Course Records (Lake Nokomis)

2010 Most Improved

Most Improved score determined by percentage of absolute time improvement from 2009 divided by 2010 final time. The adjusted improvement percentage is based on the Nokomis course being approx 8.52% faster compared to the 2009 race at Baker (includes different distances, environmental factors, etc), based on average times of top 10 finishers.

Overall:

By Age Group:

For a full list of how athletes improved, refer to the file below.
    » Most Improved (PDF File)

2010 Recap

The week's sultry heat broke just in time to provide perfect weather for the third annual YWCA Women's Triathlon. Nearly 1000 women took on the adventure of having the race move to its new location at Lake Nokomis. Hundreds of volunteers came to lend a hand for triathletes of all ages and abilities to celebrate their strength!

Approximately 450 of the women (nearly 50%), ages 15 to 72, were first-time triathletes. And many trained together or participated in Triathlon classes or clinics to prepare for race day. The YWCA Women's Triathlon celebrates the fitness and strength in all women. The triathlon, and events leading up to race day, are designed to support and empower women of all ages and athletic abilities to accomplish their personal goals. For 119 years, the YWCA of Minneapolis has been empowering women athletes. Proceeds from the triathlon benefit the YWCA Strong Fast Fit program, empowering Latino and Native American youth and their families to lead healthier, more active lifestyles to prevent obesity and diabetes.

Great weather and a slightly shorter bike course (and much less hilly) contributed to faster times than seen at Baker Park for the past two years. The YWCA of Minneapolis moved the race this year to Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis from Baker Park in Maple Plain where it had been for the past two years. The venue capacity at Baker Park was leaving hundreds of women on a waiting list. Thus, the move was in large part due to the YWCA's desire to increase accessibility for more women, in addition to bringing the race "home" to Minneapolis.

Lydia Novotny (27) successfully defended her 2009 title in establishing the new course record (1:14:00) at Nokomis. She was pushed hard by second place Greta Simpson (29) who finished just 29 seconds back at 1:14:29. Novotny's top bike and run splits of the day proved to be the winning factor. Though Novotny came off the bike ahead of Simpson, both hit the run at 53:10 due to Simpson's smokin' fast T2 split. Both Novotny and Simpson, who started the day in wave 2, were still chasing the flying 18-yr old Gabby Keller who started in wave 1 and posted the day's fastest swim split en route to winning the 19 & Under age group.

We also have to note the impressive race being staged in "stealth" mode by 41-yr old and third-place finisher Jamie Heying. Starting the day in wave 6 and "buried in the pack," Heying had to work through five waves compared to Novotny and Simpson having to work through only one wave. In fact, Heying's T2 end time heading onto the run was faster than Novotny and Simpson's (52:48 vs. 53:10). However Heying gave up over a minute to Novotny on the run to finish with a final time of 1:14:56. Rounding out the top five were fourth-place Julia Lyng (44, 1:16:36) and fifth-place Cindy Blackstock (top 35-39 finisher, 1:17:44). Expected to challenge for the win was Suzie Finger (27) who finished sixth (1:17:52) but was fighting the flu.

The 2010 race had three family categories including Mother-Daughter, Sister-Sister and Life Partners. The Mother-Daughter teams were talent rich. Taking top honors were The Kellers behind the 18th place finish of Gabby (1st, 19 & Under) and 17th place finish of Dawn (2nd, 45-59). Close on their heels were The Bebchuks (Karen-7th overall, 3rd master, and Meagan-24th overall, 2nd 19 & Under). The Queen Bees took third with Toni St. Pierre (1st 55-59, 27th overall) and Jessica Zimmerman.

The Sister-Sister category was won for the third year in a row by Twin Power (Laura Swartz and Michelle Denkworth). Swartz was the 2008 race champion and finished 9th overall while Denkworth was racing just eight weeks after having a baby. They were followed by the Brennan Sisters in second (Lynne Miller, Kari Harrison and Shannon Brennan) and the Fahrner Sisters in third (Bryna Fahrner, Berit Gelvez and Eliln Fahrner). Dominating the new Life Partners category were the Cinco Ninos with Laura and Marnie Witmer-Gausch. Cinco Ninos were the fourth family team overall, just one second behind the sister-sister team of Twin Power.

Top First Timer honors went to Jenni Emerick (30, Mpls) with a solid 43rd place finish in 1:26:08. Other age group champions included Ali Norgel (20-24, 1:22:34), Gear West and flat tire clinic leader Hannah Sullivan (30-34, 1:20:43), Amy Klosterman (45-49, 1:18:20). The 50-54 champion was Gayelene Clews (1:21:21), age group champion from Australia en route to the world championships in Budapest, Hungary. This year's 60-64 age group was a strong group of 16 competitors and was led by Debbie Janey of Edina in 1:37:53. Linda Bleck (2:06:02) of Waconia took top honors in 65-69. And for the third year in a row, crowd favorite Judy Rykken (2:02:07) owned the 70-74 age group.

The 2010 race also featured relays for the first time. The Girls and I (Melissa, Elowyn and Isabel Pfeiffer) have the distinction of being our first relay champions with a time of 1:31:47. Also of note is relay 3-Jennaration which featured three generations of one family including our oldest participant, Jean Ryan (81).

In perhaps the most hotly contested awards category, nearly 200 women vied for Most Improved. Despite a slightly shorter (15.8mi vs. 15.0mi) and a much less hilly bike course, some improvements were incredible. Accounting for the new course and other conditions on race day, we estimate that the 2010 course at Nokomis was approximately 8.52% faster than last year at Baker Park. Even adjusting for the course, three women stood out. Gwen Stephens held the top position at 38% improvement, all the more impressive that she did it at age 53. She was followed by Sarah Monson (37, 34%) and Cathie Condie (41, 32%).

For the race itself, several new initiatives were met with enthusiastic approval including a new Bag Check and "green" measures to improve the sustainability of the race including recycled polyester shirts, composting and a shoe recycling program.

Congrats to all finishers. Tri on!

Past Years

To see event recaps and restuls from past events, visit Past Results.