Earlier rumours of bad weather were burned away by the hot sun and perfect conditions prevailed for the 13 competitors in the kids micro race and the 68 in the longer races.
Featured photo: Fran Harris, winner of the women’s section of the long race. Photo: Janice Coyle
Here’s the photos by Janice Coyle
Story from Nelson Weekly, by Peter Gibbs
Luke Clatworthy and Fran Harris, winners of the long race. Photos by Janice Coyle
Luke Clatworthy led from the start and went on to win the long event of seven stages in the Shoe Clinic Brooks Duathlon at Conifer Park, Rabbit Island on Sunday.
In a mass start, competitors in three different distances started together, 15-year-old Luke leading the way from his brothers, 13-year-old twins Adam and Joseph.
It was a mixed bunch, with all abilities and ages from the young teenagers to 70-year-old Rod Sharp.
With an undulating run course of 1800m and a 6km bike circuit, competitors started together for the first run, but them chose to complete three, five or seven stages alternating between run and bike.
While Luke Clatworthy opened up a good lead in the opening run, Matt Newberry, Glenn Bathgate and Stu Hodgkiss worked together on the bike section to limit the damage.
A tight race developed among the women, with Fran Harris, race one winner Carol Cooper and Megan Coltman never far apart.
First to finish in the short race of three stages was 13-year-old Bailey O’Malley, with Joseph Clatworthy close behind. Kylie Andersen won the women’s section from Jasmin Patel.
In the five-stage race, Rod Harrhy pegged back Adam Clatworthy’s early lead to win by just over a minute, with Karen Price working through the field to win the women’s section from Serena Hobson.
Although Luke Clatworthy’s lead was never threatened, competition was tight for the minor places in the long race.
At the finish it was Newberry from Bathgate and Hodgkiss, with Wayne Leighton and Glenn Lilley taking the next two spots in a sprint finish.
Harris held off Coltman to win the women’s section, with Cooper staying ahead of up-and-coming teen Florence McNabb for the next spots.
In the micro race for 5-12-year-olds, Joseph and Cassie Cameron led home the enthusiastic field of 14 competitors.
Race three of the series is on May 20. Full details, results and photos at nelsontriclub.co.nz.