In what could only be described as idyllic weather conditions, the Maryborough & District Triathlon Club’s March Triathlon was successfully conducted on Sunday. Considering it was a long weekend and many of the club members were away on holidays, the field was both strong and competitive.
In the Open Male Long Course, a battle between Paul Moore, Adam Lowery, and Mike Egan occurred right from the swim leg. Paul was able to gain a slight lead in the ride section of the event, and went on to take line honours in the time of 35:05. Second and third place was not so clear cut right until the end where Adam Lowery was able to record one of his best results for the 2007/08 season and take second place in a time of 36:38. Mike Egan, who is also on the improve, recorded the impressive time of 36:41 to take third place in the event.
Star local triathlete Elkie Belcher maintained her fantastic form in the Open Female Long Course to post a new record time for this category of 35:54. slashing her aunty, Carol Sing’s previous record time by nearly one minute. Elkie has really excelled in triathlon over the last two (2) years and will continue to develop in the coming seasons.
In the U16 Male Long Course another record was broken by “rising star” triathlete, Zac Egan, where he posted a new course record in a time of 37:15. Zac has also shown great improvement over the 2007/08 season.
In the U16 Female Long Course, two future champions of the club provided some very strong competition throughout the event. With less than a minute separating the two at the completion of the event it was Natasha Murphy however who took line honours in the time of 44:58, with Georgia Reid only seconds behind in second position in a time of 45:15.
Not to be outdone, Peter Neville, in the 50+ Male Long Course category also set a new course record in a time of 40:42, breaking his previous course record set earlier in the 2007/08 season. Peter’s swimming has really improved, and this has reaped fantastic benefits for him this season.
In the Open Women’s Short Course it was a three way battle for the top three places in the event, with Debbie Holloway showing great triathlon form after a short time away from the sport to record the winning time of 25:48. Newcomer to the sport of triathlon, Julie Thompson, also performed very well to record a fantastic time of 26:25 to take second position, and Tracey Harrison recorded the strong time of 28:31 to take out third position.
In the U16 Female Short Course it was Caitlin Butler who reigned supreme, posting a very strong time of 27:26 to take first position, with Emily Coutts, in a time of 28:03 also have a great race to finish in second position. Young Liam Murphy, in his first club triathlon at the Maryborough Outdoor Pool, also excelled to take first place in the U16 Male Short Course in a time of 35:07.
The next club event will be the Taltarni Club Ride on Sunday 13th April 2008, and all current and prospective members are welcome to come along and participate, marshal, or just enjoy lunch at the winery. For further details please contact club secretary, Jo Butler, on (03) 54612975.
Full Results
Open Men (Long Course)
- 1. Paul Moore, 35:05
- 2. Adam Lowery, 36:38
- 3. Michael Egan, 36:41
- 4. Paul Martin, 39:04
- 5. Andrew Murphy, 39:41
- 6. Michael Reid, 41:11
- 7. Stephen Gowers, DNF
Open Women (Long Course)
- 1. Elkie Belcher, 35:54 (new record)
50+ Men (Long Course)
- 1. Peter Neville, 40:52 (new record)
U16 Men (Long Course)
- 1. Zac Egan, 37:15 (new record)
U16 Women (Long Course)
- 1. Natasha Murphy, 44:58
- 2. Georgia Reid, 45:15
Open Women (Short Course)
- 1. Debbie Holloway,25:48
- 2. Julie Thompson, 26:25
- 3. Tracey Harrison, 28:31
U16 Men (Short Course)
- 1. Liam Murphy,35:07
U16 Women (Short Course)
- 1. Caitlin Butler, 27:26
- 2. Emily Coutts, 28:03
