SPICER -- In perfect morning weather, some 430 triathletes swam in Green Lake, biked around and did a down-and-back run along the lake's southern flank.
It was the fifth-annual Green Lake Triathlon on Sunday morning.
Mark Lavin repeated on the long course -- a ¾-mile swim, 24-mile bike and six-mile run -- in 1:51.35. Robert Brown was first on the Sprint Course -- a ¼-mile swim, 12-mile bike and three-mile run -- in 58:40.
Lindsey Schwab, 29, of St. Paul was first on the Olympic Course among 14 females in a time of 2:23.11. Cindy Wiebusch, 38, of St. Peter took first on the short course in 1:06.27.
Lavin's time was just 20 seconds off his winning time a year ago when the Sioux Falls, S.D., athlete finished in 1:51.45.
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Lavin finished in the top two in all three segments; he was second out of the water in 13:42, first on the bike in one hour one second (a 24.0 mph pace) and second in the run in 36:10.
Todd Landgraff of North Mankato was second in the bike and first in the run (by 24 seconds) but didn't show up in the top ten for swimming.
After winning the Sprint title in 2007, Phil Cleary, 19, of Willmar put in a nice showing on the long course coming in eight place overall.
He had the third best time on the bike.
The Sprint event drew 246 entrants, compared to 74 for the long haul. Another 91 relay teams entered bringing the total participants to around 430.
Peter Royer, 49, of Litchfield was the top placer in the Sprint from the Tribune-coverage area. He placed eighth overall. Paul Quale, a Willmar native living in Carver, was fourth after taking third a year ago.
Race director Dave Baker said there were a high number of no-shows, but he wasn't sure why. According to official results, there were 80 no-shows.
The temperature was in the high-sixties under clear skies with only a breeze. Last year the weather was good but a heavy north wind forced the swimmers to battle through chop.
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Baker said there were no problems on the course thanks to the many volunteers and the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department which was able to keep car traffic on the lake roads to a minimum the biking and running segments.
The Kids Triathlon on Saturday morning, also starting at Melvin's on the Lake, has proved interest extends to the earliest ages -- or at least to parents.
Beginning with a 3-4 age group which had 18 entrants, all supported somewhat by a parent or parents, a total of 138 youngsters took part in six age groups.
About half the entrants came from outside the area.
