TRIATHLON
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ONE of triathlon’s biggest events of the season is taking place tomorrow with the Elite Energy Husky Long Course Triathlon Festival at Huskisson, and Bathurst competitors will be out to make their mark.
The series is one of the most anticipated events on the triathlon calendar, with the race this year celebrating its 10th anniversary.
While the focus of the festival is always on Sunday’s long course event, Saturday also offers several popular shorter formats that resulted in this year’s entry list climbing to more than 5,000 competitors.
Bathurst will have Keith Tuynman, Tom Hanrahan, Peta Cutler, Darren Fenton, Nick North and Andrew Burke taking on the 105 kilometre long course feature race.
Contesting tomorrow’s 25.75km sprint race will be Mark and Blair Windsor, Andrew and Sarah Knox and Josh Stapley.
Working as part of Elite Energy, who organise the event, Karen Tuynman has enjoyed watching the race grow into a favourite of many triathletes across both Bathurst and the state.
“It’s an absolutely beautiful area. We always try to get down there early as a group and try to get some time there to ourselves,” she said.
“The transition area is so big now ... it’s got a separate area on the street for the enticer and sprint events. With 1,600 to 1,700 competitors for the long course they’ve needed a new area. The entries go up by 200 to 300 every year. It’s a massive weekend.”
Tuynman will also be racing, alongside her daughter Brooke, over the 10.3km enticer race tomorrow.
“It’s a special race for Brooke and I, as we will be competing over the same distance. She’s in pretty good form and has been training hard lately. Luke Gillmer’s her coach and he’s pulled her down to the enticer distance to help work on some strength,” she said.
“I’d like to think about getting a top 10 finish but I’m just out to enjoy it. If you set yourself too many expectations and don’t meet them, you can leave disappointed.”
From last year’s competing group Mark Windsor caused the biggest stir when he came within 32 seconds of winning his age group over the sprint.
Windsor produced the second fastest time overall on the bike and, after more time spent over the last 12 months practicing for, and competing in, triathlon racing, his run leg will be stronger this time around.
“I think Mark Windsor’s going to be the dark horse like last year. When he finished second (in his age) last year everyone was thinking ‘who’s this guy?’ because his bike time was so quick everyone thought he’d skipped a lap,” Tuynman said.
“I think Keith has a good chance in the long course, he underrates himself a lot. Definitely Peta Cutler will be up there. They’re both strong long distance competitors and should do well.”