Eastern Bay of Plenty Triathlon & Multisport Club athletes shine

COOL RUNNINGS: Austin Oliver showed great form at the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman. SUPPLIED

The Eastern Bay of Plenty Triathlon & Multisport club showed fine form in Saturday's Port of Tauranga Half Ironman.

Eight club members raced in the longstanding event, which doubled as the 2014 New Zealand Short Course championships.

Dean Sisson finished in 4hrs 43min, to be the fastest of the local competitors, closely followed by Austin Oliver in just under 4hrs 53min, Chris Monrad in 5hrs 3min, and Jim Houston in 5hrs 9min.

Sisson was an excellent 12th in the competitive 40-44 years age group, while Oliver showed great form with 6th in the 50-54.

Ron Price followed up his recent age group win at the Taupo Half Ironman, by winning his age group and his national 70-74 age group title in 6hrs 29min.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty contingent saw three Half Ironman first timers. Gavin Rothwell clocked 5hrs 40min, the ever-smiling Neil Spanhake 5hrs 44min, and Dave Van Duk 6hrs 7min.

Conditions for the 2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run were near-perfect, though the swim leg in Pilot Bay is always a challenge with the tide and moored boats to contend with.

The two-lap bike course takes competitors beyond Papamoa. It's fast and furious and on the day was slightly overcast with very little wind.

The two-lap run features Marine Parade and a loop around Mauao. It's also fast but in the full heat of the day, is far from easy.

New Zealand endurance athlete Cameron Brown won the men's elite race for the 10th time.

Results:

Chris Monrad, 21st in 45-49 age group, 5.03.29

Dave Van Duk, 66th in 40-44, 6.07.03

Dean Sisson, 12th in 40-44, 4.43.00

Jim Houston, 24th in 45-49, 5.09.20

Ron Price, 1st in 70-74, 6.29.27

Austin Oliver, 6th in 50-54, 4.52.59

Gavin Rothwell, 45th in 35-39, 5.40.19

Neil Spanhake, 18th in 55-59, 5.44.35