With the recent flooding in Western Queensland the swim was moved from the river to the local botanical gardens duck pond!

The competition between the Striders was in full swing the night before with Starkie taking it to another level bringing out his full aero, aka sperm helmet to give him that 40sec advantage.

The race got underway at 5:00am (still dark) in the duck pond with 3 laps and a short 3.5km run back to transition.  The Striders then got onto their bikes for the 80km dead flat ride. Jerrod’s recent training shone through with a powerful ride with Starkie hot on his tail.

With the shortened run it was off the bike to complete the final 16.5km run as the sun really started to heat up. The run was made up off 3 laps and gave everyone the chance to have a good look at each other.

Abigail (I haven’t done much training) Griffin blitzed the field and smoked home in 1^st place amongst the Striders, showing that she is a true endurance athlete and the boys still can’t catch her.

Michael Stark proved that he is well suited to Triathlon and came home 29sec behind Abi to finish 2^nd. The new TT bike on order will see a different result next year.

Jerrod Smith came home 3^rd and showed that all his training is paying off with a power display of riding and looks to be well on his way to completing his first Ironman.

Megan Watterston was next across the line taking out 3^rd place in her age group, an excellent effort overcoming a back injury leading up to the race.

Duncan Price had a tough day in the office after realizing runners legs don’t really do much on a bike. He struggled home and learnt some very valuable lessons along the way.

Mary Jackson show everyone how it is done completing another magnificent race crossing the line with her normal bounce and smile, more concerned on how everyone else went.

Fabian Gonzalez somehow managed to complete the race with a solid effort after 3 months on holiday and limited training. 

The event was fanatics, well organized and supported by the local community. Mother Nature was very kind to us with no extreme temperatures or headwinds; it was a great day for racing.

Lessons were learnt by all with the majority of Striders competing in their first 5hr+ endurance event.

The healthy competition is spurring everyone on with the competition being taking to the next level with a Half Ironman being held at Yeppoon on the 19^th August 2012.

Written timeously by Duncan but posted way late by me. Thanks and apologies Duncan

Our walkers appreciate company and also safety in numbers.  Make sure you wear bright clothing and use any reflective gear that you have, and invest in a flashing light if you can (which you can find in a cycle shop).

For more check out the Sessions page. Group leader is Michelle Goswell.

The big grudge match in this years race was between Stan Fetting (representing the old guys) and Greg Hall (aka Greg Dog), after the young upstart stole the mountain goat crown from Stan last year in a desperate dash to the finish. The little schemer missed out on the Twilight Half Marathon as well leaving Stan broken and behind in training (arguably). The battle was finely set with Stan time trialing earlier during the week but Greg having superior conditioning and rest.

Interviewed after the race Stan with his typical graciousness said “I needn’t have worried as I lost the little runt in the first km and my tactic of walking as late as possible ensured a growing gap. I kept running until we got to the first ‘unmentionable climb’ and simply had to walk up that one. The rest of the ‘unmentionables’ required walking as well as the ‘Double Whammy’ but after that the topography went from insane to only slightly insane and I ran from that point on, making sure the young upstart didn’t replicate his cowardly stalking tactics from last year.”

Stan came in 5th in a time of 1:36:24 whilst Greg came 8th in 1:42:52. Michael Stark debuted strongly in 20th position with a 1:54:35, as did Emma Chandler was 8th female in 2:06:59. Ernie Patterson debuted in 2:25:40 and Mary Jackson notched up yet another Pinnacles and as usual was chaperoning a group of runners from Redcliffe Tri Club with customary humour and encouragement. Jerrod was a star as chief cheerer at halfway, despite being distracted with taking lots of photos of himself, nearly filling a 2GIG SD card with pics of his ugly mug (as shown below)

So the battle between the old guys and the young guys moves on to Noosa Half Marathon and eventually the Gold Coast Marathon.  Many thanks to the organisers for another excellent event, which we’ll continue to support.

Starkie, Stan & Greg Dog get ready

Final adjustments before the gun - Starkie, Stan & Emma

Ernie Patterson drinks up at halfway

Greg Dog slakes his thirst ready for more hills!

Mary still smiling (centre)

Starkie coasts through halfway

Jerrod close up

Tired but happy Striders celebrate the finish

Results:
Brett Jackson: 5th place (category 36 +) Time : 31:00:76 (3min off 1st place and 5 mins off 1st place cat 19yrs – 35yrs)
Abi Griffin: 7th place (category 19-35yrs) Time : 37:03:44 (1min behind Emma Thomson and Less than 5mins off 1st place)

This was a fantastic event; I would love to see a big group go over for this next year. Asides from an enjoyable and challenging swim, there was plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the wrecks; which are teaming with ocean and reef fish and covered in coral; have lunch, and relax in a beautiful part of the world. Tips for anyone interested in next year; I will be bringing an esky, with a picnic lunch and beverages… otherwise, perfection. I have attached some photo’s as well. In the race start photo’s you can pick out Brett and I as we are both wearing Blue Seventy wetsuits which have the blue rings at the top of the arms. See photo’s me fitting my wetsuit, the mass start, me finishing, Brett finish and Brett again at the finish. See the results at the website . Article contributed by Abi Griffin.