Yeppoon delivers season opener

Sunday, 17 August 2008 09:14

A week of drama for race organisers has ended in a good day for the athletes. A shipping and freight issue with the airlines meant many bikes were in jeopardy of not reaching their final destination. A few days of frantic organisation got most bikes up to the town of Yeppoon for the start of the race. This is unofficially the start of the Half Ironman season in Australia. The half Ironman road winds itself around the country and ends up at the season ending Ironman Australia.

This weekend's event attracted some fine talent including the winner of Ironman Australia '07 Rebekah Keat, 70.3 gun Leon Griffin and the forgotten man of the Australian Ironman scene Craig McKenzie.

The day dawned a good one with light winds and good temperature for the Southern athletes. The swim and bike were even in both fields with the half marathon the scene for the final results. The men's field was set alight by the man from New South wales in Chris Kemp. He set it up with a good run leaving Peter Loveridge and Craig MacKenzie filling the podium. MacKenzie must be pleased. The recent addition to his family and injury have hampered his swanswong season. Known as one of the fastest runners in the sport MacKenzie must be relieved that he is back in the thick of things. Leon Griffin has been taking time out after a hectic U.S season and was there to make up the numbers. He will be back.

The women's race was dominated by Keat. She is right back to where she was some three seasons ago. After putting that demon to rest Keat has set about the redemption of her career.

Men's Race