Dash 'n' splash when heat's on

Tanja Grunwald and Tonya Nesbitt having another battle to the line in the PHOTOIMG 0583

It was the best of the best who took on the Olympic distance triathlon around the Whanganui River on Saturday - but that didn't mean they had an easy afternoon with the pace and the heat.

There were about 30 entries on the long course grade of the 5one5 triathlon, the last major event of the year for the organising Whanganui Multisport Club.

The long course involved a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run back to the clubrooms on the banks of the river.

Club spokeswoman Melina Holmes said a large contingent of regular competitors from Palmerston North meant strong times were being put up across the individual and team events.

Her partner Adam Holmes, who finished third in the Open Men's grade, said the riding section was the quickest he had been involved in locally for quite some time, not surprising with names like former Olympic competitors Cath Cheatley and Gary Anderson taking part.

"While we had only 30-odd, I'd say the average pace was a hell of a lot faster," said Ms Holmes.

Conditions were extremely warm for mid-November, a throw-back to last season's Indian Summer which created drought in the hinterland, and on Saturday it also took its toll on the competitors.

"I did the run [section] and it was so hot, it was unbelievable," said Ms Holmes.

"The only good thing was we did the race at 3pm so when they started the run it was around 4.30, which was a touch cooler.

"Quite a few athletes ended up in the river at the end to cool down."

Palmerston North's Ross Rainham won the Men's event while finishing quickest overall in two hours, 4.20 minutes, followed by fellow Manawatu competitor AJ Cornwall with Adam Holmes seven minutes behind Rainham.

Local Alan Caird was the best of the Senior Veteran Men while policeman Jason Page took out the Veteran men's grade.

Tanja Grunwald and Tonya Nesbitt have tussled before in triathlons and this time it was Grunwald who finished on top in the Veteran Women's grade, with Nesbitt two minutes behind her.

Next on the calendar for the club will be the triathlon/multisport event on January 12, before club members help organise and compete in the AFFCO Triathlon at Lake Wiritoa on February 15.