By MURRAY McKINNON
Nathan Richmond scored a double triathlon success at the weekend, winning the national sprint title at New Plymouth on Saturday and then the professional circuit race at Mission Bay in Auckland yesterday.
The 21-year-old former world youth triathlon champion said it was a tough call to do both but his body had held up well.
"My father drove me back from New Plymouth on Saturday night and I was at the start of the event today at 6 am warming up," he said.
At New Plymouth, Richmond beat Cameron Brown and Kieran Doe, while in the Roadhouse event, he covered the 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run in 1h 48m 12s to head Brent Foster by 31s with Graham O'Grady third.
Richmond, who was sixth in the world junior championship in Montreal two years ago, said he took time off last year to complete his university studies.
"I then went back to learn to run properly," he said.
His next target will be the NZ Olympic distance championship at Napier in a fortnight.
Evelyn Williamson, 22nd in the Sydney Olympic triathlon, continued her run of success at Auckland.
The Wellingtonian won the women's section in 1h 59m 30s, six minutes faster than her victory in the same event at Mission Bay in November.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
First look: Inside Auckland's Wynyard Point stadium proposal
The final horse in the Auckland stadium race has been revealed.