Bich wins ninth Brewhouse Triathlon -- first since 2006

Brian Bich leans into the final turn on the bike leg of the 26th Brewhouse Triathlon on Sunday. Bich, 46, of Duluth won the long-course race in a time of 1:40.52. It was his ninth title in the event and first since 2006. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)

By news@duluthnewstribune.com

August 05, 2012 at 11:00 PM

The winningest athlete in Brewhouse Triathlon history added to his resume Sunday, while one of the newer kids on the block continued to shine in the 26th annual event at the Pike Lake Auto Club Golf Course.

Brian Bich of Duluth earned his ninth Brewhouse long-course men's title, his first since 2006, after recovering from surgery in December to realign three bones in his left foot. He won in 1 hour, 40 minutes and 52 seconds for a 0.8-mile swim, 21.6-mile bike ride and five-mile run.

Former Minnesota High School Class AA cross country champion Elaine Nelson of Duluth, in her first year as a serious triathlete, led the women's division in 1:54:10.

There were 557 finishers, 184 in the long course and 373 in the short course, on a sunny, windy morning that had a 62-degree temperature for the 8:30 a.m. start.

Bich, 46, and Nelson, 33, are entered in the USA Triathlon Age-Group Championships on Aug. 19 in Burlington, Vt.

"I haven't raced much this season (coming back from surgery) and I really wanted to push myself (Sunday)," said Bich, a Lake Superior College biology instructor. "Greg Rhodes and Nick Madrinich were quick out of the water and I really had to work after that to catch up.

"That's the kind of challenge I wanted before the Age-Group Championships. I had someone right behind me, on my butt, until about a mile into the run. I had to push myself."

Rhodes, 33, from St. Paul, was second, less than two minutes back, in 1:42:31, and Duluth physician Rhett Bonner, 48, was third in 1:44:35. Bich is 3-for-3 this season with previous victories in the Dakotaman Triathlon on June 16 in Harrisburg, S.D., and the Buzz Ryan Triathlon on July 23 at Island Lake. He has 43 career victories.

Nelson ran as Elaine Eggleston at Roseville (Minn.) Area High School, winning the 1995 state title, and on four NCAA meet cross country teams at the University of Minnesota. She competed in the Brewhouse Triathlon about 10 years ago, but has decided to put more time into training and racing. She's entered four events in 2012, winning each time, and was sixth among women in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in 1:23:45 on June 16.

"I'm a runner at heart, but I thought the triathlon suited me, and so far I've enjoyed it," said Nelson, a veterinarian, who also participates in the American Birkebeiner Nordic ski race. "My husband (Grant) also races and is a great training partner. He pushes me to no end."

Bich said he believes Nelson, despite her newness to racing, has a chance to do well in the USA Age Group Championships.

Jessica Rossing, 27, of Duluth, a personal trainer, was second in the women's long course for a second straight year, in 1:58:53. Diane Hankee, 35, of Lino Lakes, Minn., was third in 1:59:13.

In the short-course race, the winners were Duluthians Mike Ward, 23, in 53:11 and Jena Ogston, 41, in 1:00:03 for a 0.34-mile swim, 10.3-mile bike ride and 2.5-mile run.

26th BREWHOUSE TRIATHLON

At Pike Lake Auto Club Golf Course

Sunday's Results

Long Course

.8-mile swim, 21.4-mile bike, 5-mile run

MEN

1. Brian Bich, 46, Duluth, 1:40:52; 2. Greg Rhodes, 33, St. Paul, 1:42:31; 3. Rhett Bonner, 48, Duluth, 1:44:35; 4. Oscar Godoi, 38, Apple Valley, Minn., 1:48:51; 5. Ben Trnka, 24, Roseville, Minn., 1:49:15; 6. Doug Thiessen, 32, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 1:49:49; 7. Thomas Krenz, 51, Chisago City, Minn., 1:50:22; 8. Leon Ball, 47, Minneapolis, 1:50:32; 9. Steven Hohenstein, 35, Duluth, 1:50:47; 10. Nick Madrinich, 23, Chaska, Minn., 1:52:33.

WOMEN

1. Elaine Nelson, 33, Duluth, 1:54:10; 2. Jessica Rossing, 27, Duluth, 1:58:53; 3. Diane Hankee, 33, Lino Lakes, Minn., 1:59:13; 4. Leanne Bronson, 42, Superior, 2:01:33; 5. Christel Kippenhan, 47, Bemidji, Minn., 2:01:39; 6. Kerri Persons, 37, Duluth, 2:02:51; 7. Erin Holznagel, 27, Richfield, Minn., 2:04:45; 8. Angel Hohenstein, 34, Duluth, 2:05:25; 9. Kristina Hedberg, 26, Minneapolis, 2:06:10; 10. Christina Meier, 35, Minneapolis, 2:06:11.

Short Course

.34-mile swim, 10.3-mile bike, 2.5-mile run

MEN

1. Mike Ward, 23, Duluth, 53:11; 2. Jeff Silvernale, Pocono Mountain, Pa., 55:23; 3. Jared Sundstrom, 23, Proctor, 56:23; 4. David Goldberg, 52, Excelsior, Minn., 56:34; 5. Tim Keppers, 48, Duluth, 56:52; 6. Nicholas, Schultz, 36, St. Michael, Minn., 57:57; 7. Michael Hendrickson, 34, Duluth, 57:59; 8. Daniel Duff, 48, Duluth, 58:35; 9. Zach Goldberg, 17, Excelsior, Minn., 59:43; 10. Clare Brandt, 18, Rochester, Minn., 59:55.

WOMEN

1. Jena Ogston, 41, Duluth, 1:00:03; 2. Susanna Gaunt, 41, Duluth, 1:00:24; 3. Julie Hendrickson, 31, Duluth, 1:00:29; 4. Michelle Breiland, 35, Duluth, 1:01:29; 5. Connie Lutkevich, 44, Duluth, 1:01:35; 6. Meghan Anderson, 31, Duluth, 1:01:36; 7. Bettina Keppers, 29, Duluth, 1:02:22; 8. Daphne Haggarty, 21, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 1:02:45; 9. Kirsten Bich, 43, Duluth, 1:03:04; 10. Heather Marden, 31, Rochester, Minn., 1:03:25.

Elaine Nelson empties a cup of water as she begins her run Sunday. Nelson, 33, of Duluth won the women's long-course individual race with a time of 1:54.10. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)