REID THIRD IN TINMAN

Swim-bike-run: Gisborne triathlete Tayler Reid tackles the Tinman Triathlon. Pictures by Julie Maree Photography

TRIATHLON

GISBORNE triathlete Tayler Reid continued his run of form with a podium in the Tinman Triathlon over the weekend.

Hosted in Mt Maunganui, the annual Tinman race is part of Triathlon New Zealand’s national series. It was the first race since Covid-19 halted the plans of many of the country’s top triathletes, and it attracted a large field of competitors.

Reid said he wasn’t “super happy” with his race, but it was exciting to be out competing again.

“Training’s great, we love training . . . but nothing beats a good race.”

He started the race well, coming out of the water after the 1500-metre swim in first place (17 minutes 05 seconds), but a slow time on the bike (58:44) meant he fell behind the leader and eventual winner, Hayden Wilde.

Wilde, ranked No.14 in the world for the triathlon, finished the race over two minutes ahead of second-placed Youth Olympic gold medallist Dylan McCullough.

Reid raced hard to catch McCullough, who had built himself a handy lead after a strong bike leg.

Wilde raced ahead, overtaking McCullough and expanding his lead in his preferred discipline. McCullough looked as if he was fading as the race entered the final lap of the run, but he was able to hold on to second.

It was a great run from Reid in what he believes to be his weakest discipline. He pulled back almost three minutes from McCullough on the run leg.

Reid has been working hard on his running this year and he had the second-fastest time (33:41) over the 10km run.

“I knew I could take some time out of Dylan (McCullough) on the run, but the dude just biked the house down today,” Reid said.

“I’ve been fizzing for this for a couple of weeks, just itching to get back into racing. It’s wicked to have a race at home, finally, again.”