Published July 10, 2010 10:54AM
Americans Matt Reed and Sarah Haskins took the first step in defending their 2009 Race To The Toyota Cup titles by winning today’s Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis, Minn. Both turned in steady races and ultimately ran a fast third leg to take the wins.
The day started with American Cameron Dye narrowly beating fellow Americans Matt Chrabot and Reed into T1. Once on the bike, the trio stuck to their positions at the front of the field. Dye worked to ride away from the rest of the men, hoping he could gain a large enough lead heading onto the run. He entered T2 ahead of Chrabot and Reed. Dye’s lack of run preparation due to an injury showed as his lead was quickly taken away by Reed and then Chrabot. Reed looked poised throughout the entire 10km run, keeping Chrabot at least ten seconds behind him all the way to the finish line. Reed took the win with a time of 1:48:52. Chrabot crossed just seconds later, with two-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander cruising in for the final podium spot at 1:49:57. Dye ultimately finished in sixth.
The women’s day started with American Sara McLarty flexing her swimming muscles and leading the women into the first transition. Behind McLarty, American Rebeccah Wassner, Haskins and Australia’s Pip Taylor headed out onto the bike together. McLarty rode strong at the front of the field. She was eventually joined up front by Haskins. McLarty held a slight lead into the second transition, but was quickly overtaken by Haskins in the early seconds of the run. Another set of Americans, Wassner and Mary Beth Ellis, followed onto the run course. Wassner turned in an amazing 10km performance, but it was not enough to overtake Haskins. Haskins crossed the finish line in 2:04:06 to defend her title. Wassner crossed in second at 2:05:56. Nearly six minutes later, McLarty crossed for third.
Next up in the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Series Race to the Toyota Cup is the Nautica New York City Triathlon next Sunday, July 18.
Check back for additional times as well as a photo gallery from the day.
Lifetime Fitness Triathlon
Minneapolis, Minn. – July 10, 2010
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Men
1. Matt Reed (USA) 1:48:52
2. Matt Chrabot (USA) 1:48:56
3. Craig Alexander (AUS) 1:49:57
4. Filip Ospaly (CZE) 1:51:03
5. Clark Ellice (USA) 1:51:35
Women
1. Sarah Haskins (USA) 2:04:06
2. Rebeccah Wassner (USA) 2:05:56
3. Sara McLarty (USA) 2:11:37
4. Pip Taylor (AUS) 2:12:05
5. Jenny Fletcher (CAN) 2:14:37