Champion delighted with Japanese triathlon place

Masterton endurance athlete Gavin Champion was delighted with his 53rd placing in the inaugural Miyajima International Power Triathlon Championship last month.
Extended an invitation to compete in the event through Masterton's sister city relationship with Hatsukaichi City, Champion describes the course which consisted of a 2.5km swim, a 55km cycle ride and a 20km run which spanned the width of the newly-formed Hatsikaicho Prefecture, as the most scenic and challenging he had experienced.
It took the 288 competitors from Miyajima Island to the mainland, through Hatsukaichi City, up to Yoshiwa and onto Mominoki Forest Park's highest point (and the area's only ski field).
Champion could not have been more impressed with the organisation of the event, saying it was "out of this world" , especially since it was the first time it had been run and the decision to proceed had only been made a few months earlier.
He said everything had been meticulously planned with in excess of 2000 volunteers ensuring there were no hiccups.
Having a couple of days to acclimatise was beneficial for Champion as while it was the so-called rainy season temperatures on arrival were about 30 degrees, the humidity was high & and not a drop of rain in sight.
The Saturday pre-race registration involved a compulsory bus trip over the bike course, followed by a carbo party.
The bus trip left a big impression on Champion with the gradient being so steep at times that even the bus struggled to manage it.
Race day dawned slightly overcast and far less humid than the previous day and although the race itself did not start until 10am Champion was up at 5.30am to get his bike to transition, have breakfast and catch the ferry to the start on Miyajima Island.
As 10am approached there was a Japanese blessing and a fellow triathlete said some words on behalf of the competitors, then it was off to the start line for a deep water start underneath the famous floating Torii Gates.
Champion found the swim course the highlight of the day. It took the field around oyster beds and back to the mainland and the water was warm if somewhat salty.
The initial stages of the bike ride were "awesome" with the streets being lined with spectators and the scenery on the hilly parts of the course was spectacular.
With an elevation of 700m over 55km, the bike leg proved to be the hilliest Champion had ever experienced.
"I am not sure how I would have trained for it back home & certainly my usual route over Kurau Hill around Wainuioru, over the lime works hill and back through the Pakaraka's just didn't cut it," he said. In fact, so steep was the gradient that Champion spent most of the last 7kms biking out of the saddle.
The final leg, the 20km run, was flat for about the first 4km but then became much more testing with plenty of hill work required there as well
"I'd imagine it would be like running 8kms up the Rimutaka Hill and then coming back down before undertaking a final uphill dash to the line," he said.
Champion said he was "ecstatic" to finish in 53rd place in a time of 5hrs 3mins and he only had kind words to say too about the hospitality extended him and his wife Nicola.
"The whole trip was a wonderful experience, I'd love to think I can make it next year to go through it all again," he said.