Duathlon: Wright tames new course

Rob Gemmell pushes hard to the transition before finishing the final run leg to place second in the long course event at the annual John Taylor Memorial Duathlon yesterday. Photo/Stuart Munro

Gareth Wright quickly came to grips with a new track winning the long course event at the annual John Taylor Memorial Duathlon at the Bason Botanical Reserve yesterday.

Hosted by the Whanganui Multisport Club, the event is traditionally run on the Wanganui East course from the clubrooms in Anzac Pde.

"This is the first time we've held this event at the Bason Reserve and everyone seemed to love it," organiser Melanie Holmes said yesterday.

The long course included a 5km run, a 20km cycle leg around the undulating Kiwi Iwi course and ended with a 2.5km run through the reserve.

Wright stopped the clock at 1h 19m 48s with Rob Gemmell hot on his heels finishing in 1.20.43, while Adam Holmes was third in 1.23.11. The first woman home was Brilee Zimmerman in 1.35.56.

Holmes said the times were relatively sharp, although being the first time on this course it was difficult to compare.

"The times we usually run around the Wanganui East course are a bit quicker, but this new venue is a bit more testing with the undulating terrain, especially the cycle leg."

The short course that comprised a 2.5km run, 10km cycle and 1.25km run was taken out by Christain Conder in 32m 48s, while the first female home was Piper Zimmerman in 48m 1s.

The sprint track for the younger athletes provided a 600m run, 2km cycle and 600m run. The race was won by Morgan Murray in 11m 26s with the first female to finish, Maia Kaua, clocking 13m 22s.

"The parents liked this new course for the younger athletes because the entire sprint race is held within the confines of the reserve providing a far safer environment," Holmes said.

About 60 athletes competed in yesterday's event.