Welcome to Team BEAST! Burlington Endurance Athlete Sports Team

Check out the Team BEAST brochure!

Interested in a club for triathlon training,  for sports-specific training, or for others to workout with? Whatever the reason, you're at the right place. Team BEAST offers something for all fitness levels.  From the beginner who just may want to get or stay in shape to the Ironman competitors, we have something for everyone!

This web site will inform potential members, new members, and returning members with what you need to know. You can find information on membership: how to join, what you get, what we're about, and what we do. Check other links at the top of the page.

And of course check out our Lake Geode Challenge, our fantastic Olympic distance triathlon! The next one is July 14, 2007. Grrrrrrr.......

Check out our site. If you have general questions about Team BEAST, contact Lori and she'll help you.

Recent News!

2008 Lake Geode Challenge A Big Success  "It was an easy race for me to come back. It's a great race," said (Sarah) Grunner (female winner). "They put on an incredible well-run event. You can't ask for much more." (as quoted in The Hawkeye newspaper)

On July 12 Team BEAST hosted the 3rd Lake Geode Challenge Triathlon. The Olympic distance event included a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run, all at Lake Geode Park in Danville, Iowa. The bike and run course are hilly. Bad weather threatened but in the end the rain held off and it was quite pleasant.

 It was a great race and racers gave it excellent reviews. The overall winner was Daniel Betscher with a time of 1:56:52. The top female finisher was Sarah Grunner with a time of 2:17:54, who defended her 2007 title.

Many BEASTS were volunteering at the race, but several also competed. The top finisher was Aqua Man (fastest BEAST swimmer) Brent Ruther with a time of 2:25:32, placing 3rd of 15 in his age group. Shawn Mears placed just behind Brent, placing 4th in the same age group. The Male Team of John Hunsaker, Aero Man Chris Kipp, and Eric Hollander placed first with a time of 2:01:35. The Co-Ed Team of Brian Demijan, Andy Kincaid, and Julie Rowan placed first with a time of 2:23:54. Roger Nevling claimed the title of Terra Man with a run time of 44:57.

Lyle Roberts Heading to Hawaii Again  Lyle Roberts will again compete in the Ironman International Championships in Kona, Hawaii, in the 75-79 age group after qualifying at the Iron Man 70.3 Buffalo Springs, Texas. With a time of 7:01:55, Lyle's determination inspires all BEASTS!

Kevin Brueck Beats Lance in Boston  That's Lance Armstrong. At the Boston Marathon, Kevin ran a personal record (even with Heartbreak Hill!) 2:50:13! Lance ran the race in 2:50:58. Lest one imagines that "Lance can't run," keep in mind that his bike training has given him incredible aerobic power, and also that he was a world class triathlete before becoming the 7-time Tour de France winner.

BEASTS Continue to Race, Race, Race  Since our last update in the Winter, many other BEASTS have competed in runs, duathlons, and triathlons. A few of the top performances follow from the first half of 2008. (Places are always in their respective age group unless otherwise specified.)

Lynda Murray was 2nd of 75 in the Groundhog Run (5K) in Kansas City on January 27 with a time of 22:46. Lori Rudy was 11th of 102 in the same race with a time of 27:19. Kevin placed 2nd (6th overall) of 66 in the 10K version with a time of 35:28.

Brad Dameron placed 2nd (6th overall) of 16 in the 4 mile Brrr-y Scurry run in Clinton, Iowa with a time of 24:44 on February 2.

Josh Long placed 3rd (8th overall) at the Chili Chase 4 Mile Run on February 24, and Ann Lehman placed 2nd, with times of 25:44 and 33:55 respectively.

No, you're not seeing double: Josh Long placed 3rd and Ann Lehman 2nd at the St. Patrick's Day 5K in Davenport, Iowa on March 15, with times of 18:36 and 24:15 respectively.

Josh Long placed 1st, and set a course record, at the Stan Waldron 4K Run for Sweet Success in Keokuk, Iowa on March 29 with a time of 18:27. Shirley Johnson placed 1st with a time of 26:39.

Kevin and Brad crushed the St. Louis Half Marathon course on April 6, both coming in 3rd and achieving personal records. Kevin's time was 1:19:57 and Brad's 1:24:51.

Kevin was again first at Gilda's Run 5K on April 13 in Bettendorf, IA, with a time of 17:13. Ann Lehman was 4th of 38 with a time of 24:33. Jude Langhurst was 2nd of 24 with a time of 24:31.

Brent Ruther led off the triathlon season. He was 2nd of 10 at the Pioneer Sprint Triathlon on April 19 in Petersburg, IL, with a time of 1:06:56.

Lori Rudy was the first overall female at the Team C.R.O.S.S. 5K in LaHarpe, IL, on April 26. Her time was 27:01. Richard Link and Gary Szymula were 1st and 2nd, respectively, in their age groups.

Young Kendra Van Pelt was 5th of 13 at the Sullivan Blue Dolphin Youth Triathlon on April 27 in Sullivan, IL, with an overall time of 39:25. (200M swim, 4.4 mile bike, 1.2 mile run)

Stephanie Keller was 3rd of 12 at the University of Iowa River Run 10K on April 27, with a time of 56:05.

Eleven BEASTS entered the Cinco Du Mayo Duathlon (3K, 17K, 3K) on May 4 in Davenport, IA. Richard Link had the fastest BEAST time of 58:18. Julie Rowan placed 2nd of 7 with a time of 1:04:31.

Kevin Brueck was King BEAST of Burlington's Great River Bridge Run (6 miles), placing 2nd overall with a time of 35:14. Brad Dameron was first in his age group with a time of 37:06. Brent Ruther was first with a time of 45:13. Tom Behne was first with a time of 44:09. Lynda Murray was the 3rd overall female with a time of 46:14. Second place (age group) finishers were Bob Ensminger, Jon Hazell, Julie Rowan, Kandy Dameron, Stephanie Keller, and Chris Kipp. Colin Ensminger placed 2nd in the Under 14 group.

On May 23, Michael Hunter placed 3rd in the Wapello to Mediapolis Road Race (24 miles). Chris Kipp placed 2nd. (Times not given.) Michael also placed 2nd  in the Snake Alley Criterium the very next day. Impressive. Nic Moraniec placed 1st Overall in the Cobble Climb that day. That's a tough climb!

15 racers and 2 teams were in the Pigman Sprint Triathlon (500M swim, 15.5 mi bike, 3.1 run) on June 1. Kevin Brueck had the fastest BEAST time of 1:14:13. Lyle Roberts placed first in is age group with a time of 1:42:52. The team of Tom Rudy, Michael Hunter, and Ann Lehman placed 2nd in the Mixed Team category.

On June 14 many BEASTS participated in the Burlington YMCA-YWCA 5K Fun Run. Kevin again led the way with a time of 17:02, capturing 2nd overall. 8th overall was Bob Ensminger with a time of 18:51. Colin Ensminger was 1st in his age group (6-12) with a time of 20:10. Other age group finishers were Brent Ruther, Ashley Parrish, and Stephanie Keller (all 2nd); Jon Hazell and Shawn Mears (3rd).

The Hoerner YMCA Triathlon on June 21 (350 yd swim, 14 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) included 7 BEASTS, with Ryan Ritter capturing the fastest BEAST time of 1:09:58. Sean Peterson was 2nd in his age group with a time of 1:42:57.

Wrapping up the first half of 2008, we had 9 BEASTS enter the ITU Hy-Vee World Cup Triathlon in Des Moines on June 22 (1500 M swim, 24.85 mi bike, 6.2 mi run). Brad Dameron was the fastest BEAST with a time of 2:17:10, edging out Kevin who had a time of 2:29:52.

Congrats to ALL BEASTS who get out there and race!!