Wet weather to blame for small turnout

AT THE TURNAROUND: Jimmy Hildreth on the cycling leg of the 5one5 triathlon on Saturday.PHOTO/JONO GRIBBLE 27112014WCSUPTRI2

Palmerston North athletes waved their banner but local numbers were a little light for the Whanganui Multisport and Triathlon club's annual 5one5 Triathlon last Saturday.

A field of about 30 tackled either short-course race or the Olympic-length long course of a 1500m swim down Whanganui River, followed by a 20km cycling course out to Upokongaro, and then a 10km run between the Aramoho rail bridge and the Dublin St bridge.

The short course is half the distance over each of the three legs.

The numbers, made up of Wanganui regulars and around a dozen competitors from the Manawatu Triathlon Club, were similar to last year's 5one5 field, which was also considered small.

"In some respects it was a disappointing turnout, but knowing the weather on the day wasn't that good, it was a good turnout," said club spokeswoman Melina Holmes.

The November race is the only one that the Wanganui club runs which uses the Olympic-length event, which tends to attract only the more serious multisporters.

"It's not an easy course but it's quite enjoyable," said Holmes.

Palmerston North's Mike van Kampen was the overall winner of the long course, finishing 6.12 minutes over the two-hour mark.

The Wanganui club president Jason Page finished 1m 27s behind in second, while also being the first home in the veteran men's section, while another Manawatu club member in Narf Taru finished third.

Palmerston North student Ivan Fuller won the short course race, with his brother Steffan the individual runner-up.

The Wanganui club is continuing to run its midweek Aquathon Summer Series in the hopes of attracting new members, with the next races being this Tuesday, December 2, and then December 16.

The club will also assist with the coming schools triathlon next month and the Masters Games in February.