NUMBERS TRIPLE IN PARADISE!

The cat’s definitely out of the bag about the beautiful Paradise Off-Road Triathlon & Duathlon. Over ninety athletes competed in yesterday’s event, more than tripling the field from the previous years.

“The best part of these events for us is seeing more people taking part who have never completed a triathlon or duathlon before, as well as the children that give it a go. It makes what we do worth it, plus what better place than in Paradise” Tracey Neil, Race Director says.

Richie Lambert of Queenstown was the overall winner with a time of 1:12:24, followed closely by Aaron Giller of Dunedin with a time of 1:12:37. In third place was Sean Barnes with a time of 1:14:30.

Aaron is completing the full series and this was his first time at Paradise “It was great fun and really relaxed. The course was interesting and it was enough of a challenge for the more advanced athletes. It was also really good to see a range of abilities out there competing.

I didn’t realise I was coming second, when I came out of the water I couldn’t see Richie anywhere, but I caught up to him on the bike. ”

The women’s triathlon was won by Sarah Cole with a time of 1:16:24, closely followed by Emma Smith from Wanaka in second place with a time of 1:17:48 and Ivonne McDonnell-Grant came third with a time of 1:22:42. Sue Mavor followed shortly afterwards to win the veteran female category in only 1:29:12. Sue is very keen to have more veteran women come out and compete.

The Duathon Open Male was won by James Greenslade-Yeats with a time of 56:19 and Open Female by Georgina Murray with a time of 1:09:56.

This is the only triathlon event on the Glenorchy sporting calendar and was the third race in the Salomon Southern Tri Series, with the series finale at Lake Hayes on Good Friday 2 April 2010.

The event is well supported by local Glenorchy and Queenstown businesses with well over $1,000 dollars worth of spot prizes being given away to lucky competitors. Sponsors included Salomon, Kinloch Lodge, Dart Stables, Kawarau Jet, Export 33 Beer, Glenorchy Hotel, Glenorchy Lodge, Glenorchy Café, Lakes Leisure, Hamill’s Restaurant, Waitiri Creek Winery, Outside Sports, More FM, Queenstown Health, Blueseventy Wet Suits, Onsen Hot Pools, Nature Valley Foods, Queenstown Podiatry, Julbo Sunglasses, Remarkables Sweet Shop and Lick Dessert Bar.