Enduro tri for new year’s start

New and familiar faces were seen at the weekend’s Enduro triathlon in Tikioki with a total of 21 athletes turning out to compete in a number of course distances.

Athletes were greeted by a choppy lagoon in the swim leg and overcast and windy conditions in the run and cycle.

The main race of the day was a double challenge for athletes who tackled the 300m swim, 8km bike and 2km run twice.

The top four athletes of the day all crossed the line under the hour mark with Roland Neururer leading the pack home after completing the course twice in 57:58.

But it was Justin Rous who emerged from the water first in 5:14 – though he was content just to finish one circuit of the course in 33:16 along with Apii Napa (36:36), Pauline Beddoes (36:49), Jeff Cook (37:39), and Daniel Pae (41:02).

A minute behind Rous out of the water was Vanessa ‘Nemo’ Palmer who went on to complete her first round of the course in 28:31 and with another second time of 30:48 placed third overall and the first female home in a great time of 59:19.

Phil Washbourn came second overall behind Neururer in a time of 59:16.

Excellent times were seen right across the board as the triathlon season kicks into gear.

Weekly duathlon mid-week meets continue as well as Saturday triathlons as local athletes prepare for the annual Business House and Women’s Tri in March followed by the big one – the International Triathlon in May.