While Monday’s race report concentrated on the elite winners, there were a number of meritorious performances by athlete’s further back in the field.

Many will never win or place in a major event but they are all champions in some way.

The triathlon sport is a toughie, requiring skill and strength in swimming, cycling and running.

Perhaps the best individual performance of the day was achieved by Brendon Sutherland.

In his first Olympic distance triathlon, he completed the course in the excellent time of 2 hours 32 minutes and 9 seconds for 14th place overall. His cycle time was the 10th fastest recorded on the day.

To cap a great day for the Sutherland family, his wife Annie clocked a great 3.01:01 in her first full-distance triathlon.

Local Air New Zealand aircraft engineer Mark Worthington, in his first season, completed his first Olympic distance triathlon in a fantastic time of 2:40:13.

Both he and Sutherland have made significant progress with their swimming, having struggled to complete 200 metres five months ago.

This is a demonstration of what can be achieved with dedication and hard work.

Nick Graham of New Zealand clocked in with an excellent time one minute quicker than last year at 2 hours 17 minutes. He was fourth overall for the second year in a row.

Kristine Reid with second best woman’s time of 2:25:49 was notable in that she broke the seven-year-old veteran woman’s record of 2 hours 33 minutes previously held by Lynne Pattle of New Zealand.

Reid’s run split of 41:29 was second only to overall race winner Stephen Farrell.

Father and daughter Steve and Shannon Whitta recorded 2:58:48 and 2:41:06 respectively.

Steve, who turned 61 on race day, completed the course in a time good enough to push his place for entry to the ITU World Championships in Auckland later in the year.

Shannon was fourth woman overall and had already been selected for the New Zealand team after good performances in New Zealand earlier in the season.

Cook Islands resident Jennie George clocked 2:44:12 to be second local girl home and fifth woman overall, receiving a travel voucher courtesy of Air New Zealand.

In a touching ceremony at the Edgewater Resort and Spa on Sunday night, Jennie also received the Pauline Atera Memorial Trophy for the first veteran (over 40) woman home.

This trophy was dedicated by the Cook Islands Triathlon Association as a memorial to Pauline Atera who was killed late last year when struck by a car while she was out training on her bike.

Rangi Apera, who has struggled with injury and other family commitments this year, managed to crack the three hour barrier with a time of 2:53 and can be proud of her effort.

Del Bewg flew the flag for the Royal New Zealand Navy and Commander Del finished his first triathlon in a respectable 2 hours 53 minutes.

Two ladies of aged in their 60s, Joan Beecroft and Ann Bondy, warrant a mention.

Finishing in a times of 3:07 and 3:11 they are living proof that exercise makes for a trim figure.

And Arama Tom who hails from Aitutakai but has been a long time resident on the Gold Coast of Australia returned for the umpteenth time to race in his homeland. Even with a crook knee he managed a commendable 2:50:37 finish time.

On the teams side, first home was the pairing of Vanessa Palmer and Rhys Woodger in 2:31:49.

First junior team was the trio called ‘Mini Mafia’ made up of Ruby Fletcher-Vea, Josh Milne and Elliot Weir.

First veterans team was Justin and Rae Rous in 2 hours 43 minutes and first woman’s team was Team Shazza in 3 hours 4 minutes.

New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter’s effort for team ‘3 Jays’ did not go unnoticed. Teamed with John Hobbs and Jules Maher, the high commissioner was the first diplomat to be in the event since the days of Darryl Dunn over a decade ago.

With an excellent 10km run time of 53 minutes, the Commissioner helped his team to the respectable time of 3:07.

Special mention must go to friends Te Atarangi Whiu and Maira Daymond from NZ who completed the race in the dark in a time of 5 hours 51 minutes.

The finish had to be illuminated by car headlights and torches as they crossed before a hardy crowd of about 20 supporters and competitors just after 8pm.

While the top swimmers completed what was a difficult swim in 24 minutes, these girls took 90 minutes to complete the 1.5 km swim course. Truly, a gutsy effort.

They have said they will be back again next year to better their time. (And hopefully finish in daylight!)

A big thanks to the large troupe of drummers who turned up on the day and who created a wonderful atmosphere at the finish line.

Many of the overseas athletes thought this and the Pukapukan warriors who chanted the start of the event made the race particularly memorable.

Thanks also to Oki Te Okoitu for his pre- race prayer.

And a big thanks to dancing champ Tanya Savage who stepped in at the last moment to hand out the medals when the prearranged dancer failed to show up on time.

Like Wonder Woman, she disappeared behind a tent and emerged resplendent in dancing costume moments later as the first finishers were heading towards the finish line. She says she keeps it in the car ”in case of emergencies“.

The Triathlon Association extends a very big thank you to its major sponsors Air New Zealand and the Edgewater Resort and Spa.

Assistance is also acknowledged from Westpac Bank, Island Car and Bike Hire, Vaima Pure lsland Water and Pukekohe Travel.

Thanks also go out to The Computer Man, Koka Lagoon Cruises and all marshals including Cook Islands Girl Guides for their assistance roadside.

The Cook Islands Triathlon Association (CITA) is now looking forward to the 19th Rarotonga International Triathlon in May 2013.