News
20/9/09
Duathlon Club Championships
A big field of competitors lined up for our annual Duathlon Club Championships last weekend at the International Equestrian Centre. Pre race favourite and winner of our Triathlon Club Championships earlier this year, John Hughes, was there hoping to take out the Grand Slam and make it 3 championship titles in a row.
From the outset the pace was fast and Kevie Lowe briefly led the first run after John took the first corner wide but from that point on it was Hughesy controlling the race from the front. The early fast pace caught out a few competitors who were reduced to walking later in the run. Blame John for that. John had established a good lead by the time he reached the run to bike transition but Ben Atkins did his best to catch him on the bike leg and gradually drew closer and for a while it looked like Ben might actually catch John late in the second run but John was able to hold him off winning the race and his third consecutive Club title (Duathlon 2008, Triathlon 2009, Duathlon 2009). Congratulations John.
Ride of the day went to Mark Moro who was 11th onto the bike but rode his way into 4th place. Keira Pride was the first female home beating all but the best males so congratulations Keira. Some of our competitors decided they liked the bike leg so much they did an extra lap just for fun. It was a warm day and the water aid station was a busy place on the run. Thanks to our helpers there. Bob Nicholson had an encounter with a snake on his second run which helped him run a bit faster.
All 4 of our Long Course World Championship representatives were there and good luck to Boey, Garry Robo, Steve Pap and Julie in Perth next month. Some of us who went to Worlds on the Gold Coast last week also raced but struggled a bit after the previous weekends efforts. Overall a good race and thanks to all those that came along which makes it worthwhile when you get a good turnout.
Thanks to all of our helpers on the day especially Katrina, Anne and Julie, and those that helped set up and pack up. Jeff Brown and Mark Moro did a lot a sweeping to make the ride leg as safe as possible. Special thanks to Neil who rode out just to do TO duties and keep racing on the bike leg fair and draft free.
Wests had provided caps and 2 lucky door prizes being dinner vouchers valued at $50 each. In a strange co-incidence, almost as compensation for not beating John, the 2 vouchers went to Kevin Lowe then Ben Atkins. Thanks to our barrel girl Kristen for drawing the prizes and Wests for providing them.
2/6/2009
NSW Club Championships
It’s been a big month for Mac Tri and its members. The team that represented the club at the recent NSW Club Champs Triathlon at Nelson Bay performed exceptionally well. Firstly congratulations to Tony Harb, Chris Beasley and Julian Oey who all made the big step up from club level racing to open racing by completing the 1k swim, 30k ride and 8 k run course.
Thanks to all our volunteers who helped score more points for us. Pete Shields and Neale Cunningham helped as technical officials, Geoff Murphy assisted with the swim start but a star was unearthed with Heather Murphy taking on the role of race commentator and talking non stop from around 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. Look for Heather being recruited to commentate at the Kurnell races later this year.
The day started well for us with newcomer Julian Oey leading the first wave out of the water in a time of only 16:00. There were standout performances in all the age groups were we fielded a representative. Rob Picken won the 55-59 age group on his way recording the fastest overall time for a Mac Tri member, 1:43:33. Mark Moro came second in the 50-54 age group, Julie Foster 2nd in 45-49, Paul Rowher 8th in 45-49 and Ben Atkins 11th in the very competitive 30-34 age group.
Ben did the fastest run for a Mac Tri member with 29:51 for 8k’s. Garry Robinson was 15th in the 35-39 age group but his bike time of 51:25 for the 30k was outstanding and the fastest recorded by any Mac Tri member and one of the fastest times on the day. John Powderly finished 12th 45-49 and Kane Picken 16th in 25-29 age group. Paul Oyston and myself also completed the race.
The end result of all the points accumulated from our volunteers and competitors saw Mac Tri jump up the standings from last years 27th placed club to finish this year in 11th place. As Julie put it, an awesome effort for a small club up against heavyweight tri clubs. In a case of “if only” we were just 4 points short of finishing 10th outright.
Finally thanks to everyone who came along and supported us all. Keep this race in mind for next year as we try to finish inside the top 10.
World Championships
Several Mac Tri members have been selected to represent Australia at the upcoming Olympic, Sprint and Long Distance World Championships.
The Australian Olympic Distance team includes Julie Foster, Meegan Farrawell, Keira Pride, Rob Picken, Paul Rowher and myself.
The Australian Long Distance team includes Julie Foster, Garry Robinson, Boey Alam and Steve Pappas.
This Australian Sprint Distance team includes Kane Picken and Kurt Dreyer.
In total that’s 11 people from just the one club out of all those right around Australia who attempted to qualify. Well done to everyone who was selected.