More than 300 athletes competed in the Elysian Triathlon Saturday

 Published July 13, 2006    

 The Elysian Enterprise

 by Jay Schneider, Editor LIFE/Enterprise

ELYSIAN - After leading the Elysian Triathlon for much of the event, Brett Lovaas of Minnetonka had a chance to celebrate as he headed towards the finish line. Lovaas was more than a minute in front of his nearest competitor, so he grabbed hold of his son Breckyn's hand and the 2 1/2 year old accompanied his dad for the final few yards of his winning race.

Lovaas was one of 335 individuals, a new Elysian Triathlon record, who "dodged" raindrops and lightning Saturday morning during the 23rd annual competition.

This was only the third time in the event's history that it rained. And rain it did. For almost the entire two hours of the competition rain fell fast and furiously, much the way Lovaas swam, biked and ran.

Lovaas was the fifth individual out of the water, but was the first to board his bike. And from then on the race was all his. He rolled into the Elysian visitor center parking lot after his eight mile bike jaunt more than three minutes in front of his closest competitor.

He then cruised to the nearly two minute victory over the 2005 runner-up Todd Landgraff of North Mankato. Lovaas, who was competing in the Elysian Triathlon for only the second time, finished in 51:16. Landgraff was clocked in 53:10. Third place went to Brad Johnson of Mankato, who finished in 54:34. Alex Case and Bryan Perrott, both of Northfield, tied for fourth in a time of 58:00.

The 2006 Elysian Triathlon was the largest ever, eclipsing last year's mark by 65 athletes.

All three categories set new records. The 126 men were 12 more than the previous record set in 1997. The 89 women were nine more than last year. The 40 teams were nine more than a year ago.

The women's race featured a number of 2005 placewinners, but it was Katie Buecksler of St. Louis Park who captured the title.

Buecksler finished the course in 59:16, 40 seconds in front of Stacy Maas of Edina. Maas placed fourth in the 2005 race and has been a top five finisher many times over the course of the last few years.

Ingrid Melander, the 2003 champion, placed fifth overall (1:05.10), which was her same finish as in 2005. Brooke M. Larsen of Northfield placed third (1:02.15) and Bette Rowley of Apple Valley placed fourth (1:04.47).

A total of 22 mixed male/female teams competed and the team of Emily Ellingson and Courtney Jones, both of North Mankato and Zach Walchuk, of Mankato, were the repeat champions. They finished in a time of 58:15, four seconds faster than a year ago. David Berg, Joanne Loch and Oscar Saindon placed second in 58:54.

A total of nine female teams competed and the winners were JoRae Galli of North Mankato and Gretchen Sadaka and Mary Simpson, both of Mankato, in a time of 1:01.06.

Robin Burtzell of Savage and Colleen Zastrow of Shakopee and Karen Dimler of Janesville placed second in 1:02.46. Burtzel and Zastrow were two thirds of the 2004 championship team and the 2005 runner-up team.

The men's team division included seven teams, the top team featuring Eric Burns of Jordan and Lakeville residents Paul Hilsen and Jeff Lambardo. Their time was 50:20, which was the top overall time. Faribault residents Charlie Lechtenberg, Brad Peters and Sam Schmidt, the 2005 champions, placed second in a time of 55:51, more than a minute faster than a year ago.

Local athletes who competed included Elizabeth Voegele, Amber Atherton, Cynda Lyons, Sean Houlihan, Andy Jewison, Kevin Hall, David Rager, Tim Bengtson, Dan Houlihan, Meghan Houlihan, Katie Antilla, Michelle Voegele, Kristy Sybilrud, Billy Hanson, and Bobby Houlihan and the Lake Region LIFE's own Lisa Ingebrand.

Reprinted with permission

For photos of the 2006 Triathlon, click here.