Buffalo Triathlon Updates
(6-11-06)

Legh/Badmann Win Again!
Congradulations to Chis Legh and Natascha Badmann who both won at Eagleman Ironman 70.3 by comforable margins. Coming off their wins here at Buffalo last weekend, we've decided all the positive energy from Minnesota helped carry them to victory!

  

(5-30-06)
Registration is Closed
We have reached our maximum capacity of 1000 racers and are preparing timing chips for packet pickup Fri, Sat, and raceday morning. No further changes/refunds are allowed at this point.

(5-20-06)
Water Temp Still Cool but Rising
The water temperature of Buffalo Lake was measured at 60 degrees on Friday May 19th. With forecasted daytime highs into the 80s next week, this is expected to rise to between 65 and 70 degrees by raceday. With a maximum depth of 30 feet, Buffalo Lake warms quicker than other deeper lakes. Water temp last year was 69 degrees. While racers are encouraged to wear wetsuits, especially for the Olympic course, plenty of Sprint course racers historically go without and are still alive to talk about it. All athletes are encouraged to complete at least one trial open water swim prior to the race. For racers wishing to practice on the course, paddleboat rentals are available at Sturges Park for those who have an escort available, which is recommended for safety from motorboat traffic.

(5-17-06)
Natascha Badmann to Race Buffalo!



Six-time Ironman World Champion Natascha Badmann is making the trip from her native Switzerland to race on June 4 in the 2006 Buffalo Triathlon. She will be joining Australian Chris Legh and local elite racers in the first wave of the Olympic distance race, making their way among age group athletes in both Olympic and Sprint distance races. Due to the unique intertwining nature of the two courses at Buffalo, age group athletes will be sharing areas of both the bike and the run courses with the professionals. Be sure to smile and wave as they pass!

Known for her trademark smile and laugh, Natascha's easygoing nature is infectious to all who meet her. Anyone who has seen Natascha Badmann race a triathlon will never forget that smile, as she seemingly defies all pain, weather, and adversity and seems to float through races in her own world. She has won 6 of the last 8 Ironman World Championships in Kona, making her one of the greatest endurance sportswomen in the world. Her mental strength and celebration of victories just before the finish line are unique.

Registration Nearly Full
There are currently only 50 slots left in the 2006 Buffalo Triathlon! We are rapidly approaching our limit of 1000 racers between the two courses. There are still plenty of opportunities for teams in the Olympic division, with only 3 teams registered as opposed to over 30 teams in the Sprint race. We will be closing the race to further entries once we have 1000 registrants, which we expect to occur within the next 10 days. We will be accepting requests to change from Olympic to Sprint course, or vice versa, up until May 26 only. After this date, race numbers and heats will be assigned and timing chips prepared, so no further changes will be allowed. If you wish to change courses, or have any other requests regarding registration, please contact Registration Coordinator Steve Edmonson at edmonsj@wwdb.org before May 26.

(4/29/06)
New Award Category and Prizes Added
Race management has always sought to bring quality, innovative, useful products into use by top finishers of the race. Back by popular demand for age group winners this year will be Garmin GPS Forerunners and IPOD Shuffles, with the additional choice of wireless HR monitor bike computers. Thanks to the generous support of race sponsors, total prize purse for the 2006 Buffalo Triathlon now exceeds $12,500. All first place team members in our new team categories this year will receive Xterra wetsuits.
        In recognition of USAT's athlete development series, race management has added an U23 award category for all racers age 23 and under in the Olympic distance race. The first place male and female finishers in the Olympic distance race age 23 and under will each receive Suunto t6 wristop computer packages with foot and bike pods valued at $650. Voted Best of Fitness Gear for 2006 by US Health Magazine, the Suunto t6 accurately records how your body performs during exercise, enabling later analysis and planning with the included software. It is hoped that this state-of-the-art training equipment will assist promising young athletes from Minnesota rise to the challenge of competing nationally in USAT's U23 and Collegiate Championships.

Bike Giveaway Open to All Participants
Once again Buffalo Triathlon has teamed up with Erik's Bike Shop to give all racers a chance to win a 2006 Specialized Transition Comp Bike, valued at $1700. The drawing will take place following the awards ceremony. All racers are automatically entered in the drawing, however, you must be present to win. The winner will claim the bike at Erik's to ensure proper sizing and fit.

(4-08-06)

Chris Legh to Race at Buffalo Triathlon!
Australian triathlete Chris Legh is one of the world's great multi-sport athletes, winning more than 70 triathlons throughout his career. Chris is a two-time Ironman Triathlon champion, winning the 2000 Ironman California and the 2004 Ironman Coeur d'Alene. In 2004 he had a total of 7 half Ironman wins. He has had ten top three Ironman finishes. Chris is also a five-time Australian Triathlon National Champion. He was ranked the #1 long course triathlete in the world in 1999/2000.

You know him as the guy in the most recent, amazing Gatorade commercial, who 50 meters before the finish of the 1997 Ironman in Hawaii collapsed and almost died. The commercial takes viewers through that day in Hawaii and shows how Legh went to Gatorade Sports Science Institute and used the data and the diet the lab recommended for him to become a better athlete.

Click here to view Chris's Gatorade commercial

Chris will be sharing insights into his journey back from that fateful day in 1997 up to his retirement from Ironman distance racing at Ironman Australia this month. The seminar is designed for anyone seeking to improve their race training and hydration/nutrition strategies, as well as anyone interested in hearing the remarkable story of Chris' return to racing from a near death experience. For an exclusive cover story on Chris from Triathlete Magazine, click here:

The seminar will be offered at two locations during optional packet pick-up for the Buffalo Triathlon. Registration is not necessary for the seminar, which is free for all registered athletes. Chris will be available for autographs and photos following each lecture. Chris will be on the course of the Buffalo Triathlon challenging other elite athletes on June 4th and available after (but not during!) the race for questions and autographs.

(3-10-06)
Wetsuit Rental Added
Athletes wishing to rent an Xterra wetsuit for the race can now do so via mail! Buffalo Triathlon has partnered with Jim McCann of WetsuitRentals.com to provide triathlon wetsuits for those without wetsuits or those looking to try a triathlon specific suit. Suits will be mailed in mid-May, giving athletes adequate time to do some open water swims prior to raceday. Cost is $30 plus $6 shipping. While wetsuits are not required, they are recommended for speed, safety, and comfort. Water temp of Buffalo Lake on June 4th is anticipated to be between 65 and 70 degrees. For further information and to rent a wetsuit, go to www.wetsuitrental.com. Size availability is based on a first come, first serve basis.

Fitness Laboratory Open in Buffalo

Race sponsor Sister Kenny Sports and Physical Therapy Center of Buffalo Hospital has opened a new state-of-the-art Fitness Laboratory offering the latest advanced testing in Body Composition, Metabolism, and Biomechanical Motion Analysis. Drawing triathletes from all over, these services are now available to participants of the Buffalo Triathlon locally, and include RMR and VO2Max testing, VO2Max training programs, Lactate testing, DEXA body composition scans, and Dartfish motion analysis. To see the recent KARE11 story, go to http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=119288. For questions, to request a brochure, or to schedule testing, contact Exercise Physiologist Mike DePrekel at 763-684-3872. Special pre-race discounts are available for Buffalo Triathlon participants.

$10,000 Purse in Total Prizes for 2006!
This year, Buffalo Triathlon will be awarding over $10,000 in prizes to top finishers. See Awards/Results page for a breakdown of age group categories and to see last year's winners. The Elite purse this year consists of $1,000 cash for each the top male and female, $500 each for second male and female, and $250 for each third place. For a list of athletes currently registered in the Elite category, see Participants page. There is no Elite division for the Sprint course.

Training Seminar Starts April 4
Spots are still available in this years pre-race training seminar series. Classes are held at Golds Gym in Buffalo on Tuesday evenings. A variety of topics are covered for both first-time triathletes and beginning athletes wishing to improve performance or simply to network with training partners. We will once again have group rides and open water swims on the course for those eager for summer to arrive! For details and for a link to register, see theTraining Resources page.

(12-5-05)
Registration is now open!
Registration for the 2006 Buffalo Triathlon opened Dec 1st with over 50 individuals signing up the first 3 days. We will be allowing up to 1000 racers to participate in this years race, including those who are part of the new team categories. Last year the race filled to our maximum of 800 in May. While we cannot predict when the race will fill, we expect it to be earlier than last year. See our registration page for details/prices. Register online at Midwest Events only.

New Team Categories Added
Wanting to participate in a triathlon but unable to swim? Sidelined by a running injury? Only own a 1962 Schwinn single speed bike? Know someone who needs a little extra encouragement? Enjoy being part of a team? We've created both 2-person and 3-person team categories just for you. Up to 33 teams will be allowed in each of the Sprint and Olympic distance races. Get your team together early and enjoy the benefits of having someone to suffer through early season training with!

Texas Style Barbeque Included in Registation Fee
This year your registration fee includes a full Texas Style Barbeque catered by Evergreen Restaurant. Plan on joining all your fellow triathletes on the lawn in front of the band shell for post race muscle glycogen replacement during the awards ceremony! Meals will be available for purchase for $7 for spectators.