Mystery man an out-of-sight talent

St Paul's Collegiate athlete Adam McCarthy. PHOTO / GEORGE NOVAK

A couple of head-scratchers were posed during the Coronation Classic: who was racing in which event and how can the athlete with the day's fastest time not be considered the overall winner?

The event concluded at nearby Coronation Park but answers were proving elusive.

St Paul's College athlete Adam McCarthy had the day's fastest time of 58min26sec, but appeared the only person on the course who knew which race he was running.

"They told me to turn around at the base of the Mount but I said no ... I'll keep going," McCarthy said after crossing the finish line more than a minute ahead of second placed Matt Backler.

The diminutive frame of the young fella seemed to have tricked everyone - a gracious Backler noted he had not seen McCarthy at the beginning of the cycle leg and did not seem to know the two were competing over the same distance - while McCarthy's triumphant finish among short course competitors was met with little fanfare by organisers and spectators alike.

"I was doing the sprint; I came first, I think," McCarthy continued. "I didn't really know what to expect coming into it - you never really know.

"There were a couple of older guys, but I'm really happy with the day.

"I was with (Backler) on the swim and then got him through transition. I thought he was going to catch me on the bike but I managed to hold it and then kept it on the run.

"I felt really good in the swim, was feeling the legs a bit on the bike, but then got to the run and settled in."

The 16-year-old did not receive a medal, nor initially a pair of Jandals presented to the winners of the respective divisions.

Ironically, the humble youngster picked up the footwear as a spot prize, and took the confusion in his stride.

Next up are a couple of warm-up races before the secondary school nationals in Gisborne in late March, where he will compete in the under-19 category.

He may even come to appreciate his days of anonymity - if he continues with the form displayed over the Kaimais soon everyone in the multisport community will know his name.