It was a strong weekend across the board with athletes racing from sprint to iron distance.
Active Tri Round 2
Les Toth continued his season of racing in the sprint event at Melbourne's Active Tri 2nd round and managed to work himself into a top 10 spot. With some new targets ahead for the season this will be a good motivator to keep chipping away.
Bike Society Triathlon Series Round 2
Over to Adelaide and Matt Carman was a late decider to race this weekend sighting a need to clear out the pipes. The sprint distance event fit in well with Matts current preparation and he came away with an age group win and top 10 overall. Well done Matt.
Ironman Western Australia
MEC had four athletes take to the start line at Busselton and all were in good condition to have a great day.
Andy White has been quietly and diligently going about his training and all the signs were there for a great day. After a debut ironman in Cairns earlier this year with 3 flat tyres he finished with a strong 3hr23min marathon. Busselton was about getting some mechanical luck and piecing together a great day. Stopping the clock in 8hr 57min and 2nd in his age group shows the class and maturity he possesses to race this distance. Andy also booked his ticket to Kona in October next year. Well done Captain.
Georgia Stott had a strong debut Ironman racing in the female professional category. As with all MEC athletes racing their first Iron distance event, it was about finishing and learning what it is all about. As expected with her swimming background Stotty was 2nd out of the water and onto the bike comfortably. A blood nose sent rumors around of a crash on the bike but a no fuss attitude just meant Stotty kept cool and carried on. The run is what has been getting the work in training to stay strong and strong she did for a top 10 finish in the professional field. 2 more years under her belt and Georgia could be a real contender.
Mon Liston took her trade mark smile 90% around the course on Sunday in her debut Ironman. A good swim and bike left it to her to experience where that 'place' is that everyone talks about during the Ironman marathon. The smile was only temporarily turned to a grimace as she hung tough and pushed along to take a top 10 finish in her age group. Mon has simply gone from strength to strength over the last 3 years and her work ethic is something that should be taken note of and commended.
Travis Hill is a guy that anyone new to the sport and may be over awed by the distance should take note of. If you haven't read his blog he wrote the other week here is his story. Going from wanting to make the swim cut off in his debut Ironman, Neo exited the water with a smile and about an hour to spare. Simply a great example of how to execute your first ironman and words do not do justice to just how far this guy has come. Travis's commitment and consistency in training could never be questioned and so it was no surprise when he well and truly avoided a glow stick and was home in a remarkable 12hrs 20mins.
Well done to all who raced. A truly fantastic display of the outcomes that are produced with consistent and diligent training.