Duathlon: Convert smashes records in Haumoana

SMASHING: Will O'Connor. PHOTO/FILE

Records tumbled on the Haumoana course of the duathlon race in Hawke's Bay.

Will O'Connor, 26, of Palmerston North completed The Hits long course of 4km run, 21km bike, 4km run in 1h1m15s on Sunday, eclipsing the time Steve Charles, of Hawke's Bay, set, and who came second to O'Connor at The ZM Duathlon, in a time of 1hr1m25s.

"It was a good battle with Steve," said O'Connor who grew up in Havelock North and turned to triathlon about six years ago.

He was eighth in his age group at the world championship in China in 2011. He also competed in a few elite races but found it was a whole different level of racing, against guys who did it for a living.

O'Connor uses Triathlon Hawke's Bay club races as training while visiting his parents.

He said the Friendly Dental-sponsored duathlon was perfect training for his first ironman. In the women's race, Bay triathlete Karen Toulmin, 31, posted a record in 1h10m12s, making it two wins in as many races in the series.

Karen Moore, who is off to Chicago in September for the triathlon world championship, was second in 1h 12m31s.

Junior Lachlan Cairns won the Horleys 4km run, 21km bike, 2km run in 55m13s, also claiming his second win in the series. Bridget Lodge was the fastest woman in 1hr6m1s.

Another junior Sophie Hogan had the fastest women's time in the Peak Fitness short course 2km run, 14km bike, 2km run with 46m56s. Shane Harrison (vet 2) was the quickest man in 52m 13s.