Posted: 8/16/06
Dad, son and roommate finish first at adventure race
 Team Ta Londi Deprauce stand together after the ìTo the Border Triathlonî July 27. The team won the three-day race by 44 seconds. Pictured (l to r): James Garry, Zack Kartak and Chuck Kartak. |
By Steve Morris
A North Branch father, his son and his sonís roommate took first place in the first ever ìTo the Border Triathlonî July 25-27.
Chuck and Zack Kartak along with James Garry completed the three-day adventure triathlon in 12:52.01 ñ 44 seconds faster than the second place team. They placed first in the three-member team division. Nine teams competed in the ìTo the Border Triathlon.î Between two to four people were allowed on each team.
Chuck Kartak, who is the deputy director for Minnesota State Parks, said he had a great time competing in the race.
ìIt was great fun,î he said.
The race consisted of biking, running and canoeing. Under the team name Ta Lodni Deprauce, they traveled a distance of 150 miles across Minnesota.
They started at Kettle River with a 90-mile bike ride to Mountain Iron. Next was a 30-mile run from Kinney to Cook and the final day was a 30-mile canoe paddle down the Vermilion River to Voyagaire Lodge on Crane lake.
At the end of the first day team Ta Londi Deprauce was 15 minutes behind the leader. They made up that time during the canoe leg, which they finished nearly 14 minutes faster than anyone else in their division.
Zack Kartak is quick to credit his dad for the strong canoe time.
During the canoe leg, father and son paddled the first 20 miles. After a mile portage, Garry took Zackís place and finished the race with Chuck Kartak.
For the run and bike they switched off at planned increments. On the bike it was roughly every five miles and for the run it was every third of a mile.
ìWe pushed it pretty hard,î Chuck Kartak said.
Zack Kartak, a 1999 North Branch High School graduate, said the biking leg of the race was tough for him. He said he could have prepared a little more.
ìMy legs werenít as prepared as they could have been,î he said.
Last year, Chuck and Zack Kartak along with some hunting friends completed in the 530 mile ìBorder to Border Triathlon.î They finished in sixth place.
This year, when a shorter course was offered they signed up.
All things considered, Chuck Kartak is happy he was able to participate.
ìI hope more people take the time to do these types of things,î he added.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com