The Maryborough & District Triathlon Club Inc. conducted its first event of the 2009 Winter Triathlon Series, a “Reverse Triathlon”, on Sunday in very pleasant competition conditions with a strong field turning out to contest the event.
The event was conducted from the Maryborough Sports & Fitness Centre, with the “run” being staged on the Jack Pascoe Reserve Athletics Track, the “ride” out and back on the Majorca Road course, and the “swim” in the heated pool facilities.
All athletes started the event together in one wave in the run section, and the early pace was set by “Ipsen Team” who were competing in their very first triathlon. Several of the experienced triathletes were not far behind however so the stage was set for some very exciting competition.
In fact there were some exceptional times set at the event with three records being broken, two of these in the Short Course.
The “Ipsen Team” went on to post the impressive time of 19:57 breaking the previous record of 20:46 set by the “Grose Team” for the Short Course Team category in June 2005.
Young gun triathlete Caitlin Butler also had an exceptional race showing good form in all aspects of the event to post a new course record in the U16 Female Short Course in the time of 21:14. This effort broke the two year course record of 21:53 set by Tiarni Harrison back in May 2007.
The under 16 male short Course was contested by two newcomers to “reverse triathlon” competition, Jack Chandler and Evan Ipsen. Both boys had great first up races, and also produced very strong times as well. Jack Chandler, in his first ever triathlon of any description performed very well in all aspects of the event to post a great time of 25:07. First across the line in this category however was Ivan Ipsen in a time of 19:05, just 44 seconds outside the U16 Male Short Course record set by Jeremy Dellavedova set back in June 2008.
The Open Male Short Course was won by John Chandler in a time of 25:12. John showed great support to his son Jack in his first ever triathlon event, and the “club” looks forward to both triathletes competing again in the July event.
Competition was also very strong in the Long Course category of the event, with yet another record time being posted.
The 50+ Male Long Course record, which was set by Peter Neville in July 2008, was once again broken by Peter in the impressive time of 32:40. Peter had an exceptional race, with his cycling form and swimming improvements enabling him to slash over a minute off his previous record time of 33:56. Such was Peter’s performance he set the fastest time on the day.
Brian “The Fish” Park also performed very well in aspects of the event in the 50+ Male Long Course category, making up considerable time in the pool to post the very competitive time of 36:30 to take out second place.
The Open Male Long Course category was also very hotly contested, with all competitors excelling in the ideal competition conditions. It was however Daryl Stewart who reigned supreme on the day in a time of 33:21 to win. Daryl was followed closely by Adam Lowery in a time of 34:51, then came Barry Smith (35:30), and Shane Dellavedova (37:24).
The Open Female Long Course category was won by Jackie Dellavedova in a time of 42:50. Jackie continues to grow in confidence with each event she competes in, and as such continues to improve her times accordingly.
The next club event will Race 2 of the 2009 MDTC Winter Triathlon Series, and this will be conducted from the Maryborough Sports & Fitness Centre on Sunday 12th July 2009. All current and prospective members are encouraged to come along and participate or just gain some insight into the sport of triathlon.
