By SCOTT MacLEOD
The hard streets of Auckland have killed the hopes of a budding triathlete after months of tough training.
But 10-year-old Lucy Fitzpatrick was so determined to compete in tomorrow's Weet-Bix Kiwi Kids Tryathlon there was no way she wanted to see a doctor after falling off her bike.
It was only when Kate Fitzpatrick noticed that her daughter was unable to pull on her pyjamas or take off her watch that reason prevailed and the youngster was taken to an emergency clinic - where doctors discovered Lucy had a fractured arm.
"I had spent 2 1/2 months biking and swimming with Dad," said the Epsom lass. "I didn't want Mum to know how sore I was."
The drama happened on Wednesday, when a "stupid" boy pedalled in front of Lucy and caused her to jam her foot into the spokes of her bike. Lucy, a Three Kings Primary School pupil, flew over her handlebars, smashed her knee on the road and took a heavy knock that blurred her eyesight and left her with numerous bumps and scrapes.
Life seemed a little better on Thursday when her Tryathlon pack, containing a swimming cap, T-shirt and other gear, arrived in the post from organisers.
Lucy has decided that even though she cannot take part, she will turn up anyway to cheer on her four cousins who will be. And with the sort of pluck typical of her uncle, former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick, she has already plotted a return to the sporting arena when the cast comes off in five weeks.
"I'll just keep on training for next year's one."
In the modern tradition of everybody being a winner, the organisers say they will give Lucy a medal and a certificate for her hard training.
Tryathlon coordinator Maree Oliver says the ninth annual event has drawn 2750 entries - 300 more than last year.
Tomorrow's event will be held at St Heliers Bay, one of Auckland's best-known triathlon venues.
Competitors will swim 200m, ride a bike for about 5km and take part in a run.
Similar events are held in Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin.
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