After a cold, wet, and windy Saturday, triathletes enjoyed some pleasant conditions for Race 2 in the Maryborough & District Triathlon Club’s Winter Series on Sunday at the Maryborough Sports & Fitness Centre.
A large field of novice and experienced triathletes contested this event, and some very competitive times were registered by many of the triathletes.
The event was a reverse triathlon, and as such the field commenced together in one wave on the run leg. In the Long Course Category the early pace on the run was set by Elkie Belcher and Evan Ipsen, with Clancy Long and Martin Mark following closely behind. As the run leg unfolded both Elkie and Evan extended their lead but a chase group of runners including Mark, Peter Neville, Daryl Stewart, and Geoff MacIlwain emerged, with Clancy Long still within striking distance.
Betina Jensen, in her first ever triathlon, also displayed exceptional running form, and recorded a strong time on the run leg to set herself up for a great first up performance in this event.
The first six triathletes in the Long Course Category were all in fact in transition together, but some exceptional transition form from several of the triathletes saw a distinct advantage gained in the first transition (T1), and as such the group had spread right out by the time the cyclists had entered Majorca Road on the out and back 8km cycle course.
Positions in the event changed constantly throughout the remainder of the cycle and swim course, and in the end it was Elkie Belcher who posted the fastest time overall to win the Open Female Category in a time of 31:06. Elkie is continually improving her technique and triathlon form in the lead up to the World Triathlon Championships on the Gold Coast in October, and the club wishes her every success in her endeavors.
In second place in the Open Female Category it was Betina Jensen, who in her first ever triathlon also displayed strong cycling and swimming form to register the very respectable time of 44:40.
In the Open Male Category it was young Clancy Long, who is renowned for his strong riding form, who pulled away from the rest of the field to record his maiden Maryborough & District Triathlon Club Reverse Triathlon victory in a time of 31:32. In second place was Geoff MacIlwain who also displayed strong form in all three legs of the event to record the very competitive time of 32:29, and Daryl Stewart, who continues to improve with each event, finished in third place in a time of 33:09.
The Ipsen & Volk Team (Awesome 4some – Take 2) also produced a very strong performance to record a winning time for the Long Course Team Category of 33:14.
In the 50+ Male Long Course Category it was Peter Neville, who continues to maintain his strong form and competitive times, who recorded the winning time of 33:37, which was just outside his own record set at the June 2009 event.
In the U16 Male Short Course Category, there were two new competitors in the sport of triathlon contesting this category, Harrison and Ben Butler. Both boys displayed good form in all aspects of the event with Ben being the eventual winner in a time of 22:41, and his brother Harrison also enjoying the event and posting a great time of 28:05. Both boys have several years of participation left in this category and as such these times were both exceptional.
The U16 Female Short Course Category was also contested by three triathletes who have several years left in this category, with two of them participating in their first ever triathlon. All three triathletes showed triathlon form above their years, and completed the course in great times. In first place was Caitlin Butler in a time of 21:18 (which was only 4sec outside the record she set at the June 2009 event), in second place it was young Tori Chandler in a time of 25:10, and in third place was Lauren Butler in a time of 28:36. The Maryborough & District Triathlon Club looks forward to all three girls enjoying the sport and participating in future club events.
In the Open Male and Female Short Course categories it was John Chandler who made it back to back victories in the male section in a time of 25:13, and newcomer to the sport, Raelene Edwards also enjoyed a top race to record the strong time of 26:00
The Open Team Short Course Category was hotly contested by two new teams to the sport of triathlon as well, with the Evans/Wagstaff/Evans team the eventual winner in a time of 21:00, and the Evans/Ellis/Chandler team in second place in a time of 25:19.
The 50+ Male Short Course Category was won by another newcomer to the sport as well. Barry Parsons in his first ever triathlon as an individual enjoyed all aspects of the reverse triathlon format to post the very respectable time of 22:42.
Race 3 of the Maryborough & District Triathlon Club’s Winter Series will be the Long Course Reverse Triathlon involving a 4km run, 20km cycle, and 400m swim. This event will be held from the Maryborough Sports & Fitness Centre with registration at 9.30am and competition commencing at 10.00am. All current and prospective members are encouraged to come along to participate, marshal, or just spectate and get a feel for the sport of triathlon.
| Race 3 – 12th July 2009 – Reverse Triathlon, Maryborough Sports & Fitness Centre (Lg course 2km/8km/300m Sh course 1km/4km/200m) |
|
Position
|
Name |
Time |
|
Open Men
|
(Long Course) |
|
|
1
|
Clancy Long |
0:31:32 |
|
2
|
Geoff Macilwain |
0:32:29 |
|
3
|
Daryl Stewart |
0:33:09 |
|
4
|
Martin Mark |
0:36:04 |
|
|
|
|
|
Open women
|
(Long Course) |
|
|
1
|
Elkie Belcher |
0:31:06 |
|
2
|
Betina Jansen |
0:44:40 |
|
|
|
|
|
50+ Men
|
(Long Course) |
|
|
1
|
Peter Neville |
0:33:37 |
|
|
|
|
|
Open Teams
|
(Long Course) |
|
|
1
|
Awesome 4some take2 |
0:33:14 |
|
|
|
|
|
Open Men
|
(Short Course) |
|
|
1
|
John Chandler |
0:25:13 |
|
|
|
|
|
Open women
|
(Short Course) |
|
|
1
|
Raelene Edwards |
0:26:00 |
|
|
|
|
|
50+ Men
|
(Long Course) |
|
|
1
|
Barry Parsons |
0:22:42 |
|
|
|
|
|
U16 Men
|
(Short Course) |
|
|
1
|
Ben Butler |
0:22:41 |
|
2
|
Harrison Butler |
0:28:05 |
|
|
|
|
|
U16 Women
|
(Short Course) |
|
|
1
|
Caitlin Butler |
0:21:18 |
|
2
|
Torey Chandler |
0:25:10 |
|
3
|
Lauren Butler |
0:28:36 |
|
|
|
|
|
Open Teams
|
(Short Course) |
|
|
1
|
Evans/Wagstaff/Evans |
0:21:00 |
|
2
|
Evans/Ellis/Chandler |
0:25:19 |
|
|
|
|