Gatorade Triathlon Series - Race 6 St.Kilda

Sunday, 30 March 2008

You know it is getting to the end of the season when you arrive at the race venue to an eight degree start. For the 2100 athletes contesting race six of the Gatorade Triathlon Series that’s what happened. But the cold did give way to clear skies and plenty of fast racing as the last race of this highly successful series was run and won. The pre race talk was whether race five would be duplicated. The Griffin- McCartney show was on offer again as the two favorites were lined up and expected to set the pace for the race. The women’s event saw Renee Lane and Meg Russell as the two to beat.

The swim leg saw the expected front running by Adam Beckworth and Pete Kerr. Both have been the pilot fish for the elites this season and today was no exception. The 750metre swim suited them down to the ground and they took advantage of a small lead coming into transition. The female race saw Meg Russell, Renee Lane and Jenni Erskine demolishing the field behind them and making good on a great start.

It is hard to keep a chase pack at bay and eight kilometres into the bike a Leon Griffin lead pack caught the two escapees from the swim leg. Griffin, who has been one of the form athletes this season winning the Australian long course title and Geelong 70.3, is a man clearly confident these days. Once he got the bunch together he simply kept tabs on those who mattered. A few attacks on the bike by some of the other elites were met with contempt as Griffin snuffed out any chance of anyone getting free. His group numbered seven and from there the run would sought out the final placings with the second chase group too far behind to win this day.

The women’s event was shaping up in similar fashion with Russell, Oldfield and Lane keeping watch and rolling smoothly through the bike leg. Erskine’s day ended when she pulled the pin courtesy of illness. Her “that’s racing” attitude was a nice call from the sometimes overdone excuse laden comments of those that might not perform up to standard. As she was pulling the pin the race roared on with Russell looking the strongest. Lane, getting ready for China 70.3, was there for a hard hit out and knew she’d have it on the run.

The finish for both races was academic with Griffin smashing the field in the run to record the easiest of victories. He is in a class of his own in Victorian racing and is one to keep an eye on for the North American season. McCartney grabbed second and the series win with a hard charging Joe Gambles in third. Russell, developing into a class act in her own right, cruised to victory over Lane and Oldfield. Her level headed racing belies her age.

Once again while the elite merchant’s of speed put on a clinic at the front, the age groupers behind them were doing their best impersonations. Over 2000 of them enjoyed the last roll of the dice for the Australian Summer. There were plenty of highlights from Race 6 including:

• Spare a thought for the Female 25-29 category with Ironman Pro Belinda Harrison racing as a tune up for IM China in three weeks.
• Paul McMaster, Mick Varker and Cam Maffet. Undefeated all season. A special FOTB.com tip of the hat to those three.
• Dave Holten, 30-34 age group, second fastest run split of the day... the man was flying!
• Jack Gubbins at 65+ another wonderful season finished... You are an inspiration Jack!
• Xavier College winning the schools cup. Gary McAllister as their fearless leader has put more kids into the sport than anyone we know. Great job Gary. Gary also had the fastest run split for his age group... talk about a great example!
• Air temp of eight degrees and still plenty of smiling faces, well done!

 

Stay tuned to firstoffthebike.com this week for the latest results from the ITU race in Moololaba, a new interview with a guy gone nuts and all the Ironman Australia build up.