Sport
21 March, 2024
Jayden Hooper taking on Geelong 70.3 Ironman
Maryborough local Jayden Hooper is taking on a new challenge, entering the Geelong 70.3 Ironman to be held on Sunday. The 70.3 Ironman is one of the world’s most renowned events, voted number one in 2018 for overall athlete satisfaction in a poll...
Maryborough local Jayden Hooper is taking on a new challenge, entering the Geelong 70.3 Ironman to be held on Sunday.
The 70.3 Ironman is one of the world’s most renowned events, voted number one in 2018 for overall athlete satisfaction in a poll, which sees athletes complete a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride and a 21.1 km run.
Hooper believes he’s ready to go and will count on his natural fitness to get him through, despite only competing in a handful of triathlon events prior.
“It’s a different experience. I’ve only done two or three triathlons in my life, so to step up from that into an Ironman event is going to be a big step for me, but it’s also something I’ve always been interested in,” he said.
“I’ve grown up watching Geoff MacIlwain and Wayne Belcher and the like do Ironmans, and I’ve always had that interest in competing in one myself.”
Hooper says working on his swimming ability has been the biggest factor for him, as well as maintaining his consistency, which has seen him practice two to three times a week.
“Fitness is something I’m passionate about and I’ve always looked after myself. I’ve been swimming and riding twice a week, and running two or three times, and doing gym work three times a week with Brad Mathieson Personal Training,” he said.
“I’ve been working on my swimming and making sure I can get through that. “My Saturday has consisted of four to five hours of training and through the week, being consistent with getting an hour’s swim in and runs, along with the gym work and keeping the strength in the legs and upper body to compete.”
Hooper isn’t sure what to expect, but finishing is the main goal for the time being.
“Since I’ve never competed in one, I don’t know what to expect. But if I can do around five and a half hours, I’ll be stoked with that, being my first event,” he said.
“That will consist of a 40-minute swim, hopefully under 90 minutes with the bike and around 90-100 minutes for the run.
“I’m going in with no real goals, but I want to finish and hopefully enjoy it and give me motivation to go for another one.
“I’m looking forward to having my wife, friends and family down there on Sunday to support me, and it’s going to be a nice event. Hopefully the weather holds off and looks after me by not being too windy, and it should be a good day.”