Sport
10 December, 2024
Terrific times in ideal Sunday triathlon conditions
The Maryborough and District Triathlon Club conducted the fifth event on its 2024/25 club championship season, its third long course triathlon from the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre, on Sunday, December 8.
Event distances were identical to the November event, long course (400 m swim, 20 km ride, and 4 km run), and short course (200 m swim, 8 km ride, and 2 km run).
The long course provided a very entertaining and enthralling com-petition between two local open class triathletes in Jeff Beer and Cooper Mark, and debutante long course triathlete Jacqueline Beer.
Jeff was first to exit the pool after the 400 m swim, with Cooper and Jacqueline not far behind in hot pursuit.
Jeff was able to maintain a strong lead throughout the 20 km cycle leg, with Cooper and Jacqueline enjoying the race conditions as well.
Jeff continued to power through the 4 km run to finish in the fastest time of the day (61:27), with Cooper also enjoying a strong run to finish in second place overall (79:19) wiping over nine minutes off his November time.
Jacqueline crossed the finish line in 91:03 to win the open female long course, and successfully complete her first long course event.
Adam Lowery and Josh Britten also enjoyed outstanding perfor-mances in the open male short course.
Both triathletes produced the swims of the morning exiting the pool in unison in readiness for their 8 km (2 x 4 km loops) cycle legs.
Josh was able to establish a lead in the cycle leg, and then maintain his momentum in the 2 km run leg to cross the finish line in the blistering time of 28:44.
Adam also maintained great form in the cycle and run legs to cross the finish line (32:43) in the second fastest time of the day overall.
In the open female short course category it was a two-way battle between local triathletes Sophie Mark and Kate Cain.
Kate produced a strong swim leg, and then continued her strong form in the cycle and run legs to record the impressive time of 40:03 to take first place.
Sophie also enjoyed the cycle and run legs to record the time of 41:17 to take second place.
Ella Govan won the under 16 female short course in the strong time of 35:05, continuing her improving form with every event she participates in.
After a Christmas break the club will conduct the sixth event on its 2024/25 club calendar being another long course triathlon from the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 9.
Course distances will be identical to the December event — long course (400 m swim, 20 km ride, and 4 km run), and short course (200 m swim, 8 km ride, and 2 km swim).