Nick North wins fourth consecutive Dave Carroll/Dave Scott Memorial Triathlon

It wasn’t a bad result for someone who was training for something else.

North has been preparing for a Half Ironman this weekend at Batemans Bay that will signal the start of his own season as he looks to return to the elite level.

That meant Sunday’s race was not one that he had tapered for or targeted.

In fact, he had put himself through a gruelling training session only the day before.

By the time the memorial race started, though, his class shone through and he finished the club series in fine fashion to defeat Josh Stapley, Mark Windsor and Richard Hobson (who himself has four wins in the event).

“I was quietly confident I could race well, but training for a Half Ironman is a lot different to doing a sprint race, so to get a result like that is awesome,” he said.

“I led all the way today [Sunday]. It pushes you that bit harder when you have guys like Josh, Mark and Richard behind you, especially Mark the way he’s been riding lately.

“When Emma Snowsill won the Olympic gold medal in 2008 she said that she ran scared, tried to get away from everyone early. That’s pretty much what I did today – get a gap as soon as possible and keep trying to build it.”

North was first out of the pool – though not by a great margin – and extended his lead on the bike, coming into the transition just over a minute ahead of Windsor.

Stapley and Hobson were a further 20 seconds behind.

Having seen off the threat of Windsor’s bike leg, North had a comfortable buffer as he began the run around the Macquarie River, and simply powered on from there.

By the time he came through the finishing chute he had increased his lead to almost two-and-a-half minutes, with Stapley producing a good run leg to pass Windsor and grab second.

Windsor was third and Hobson a respectable fourth, especially considering he has focused almost exclusively on riding in recent times.

“It is such a big race, a great occasion and to have legends like ‘Hobbo’ and Mark racing, and Josh in the form that he’s been in, it really pushes you to the next level,” North said.

“Mark’s cycling background is phenomenal and when you’re coming out of the pool with someone like that behind you it makes you work extra hard.

“My season is only just starting now. I had a long battle with injury after the Orange round of the inter-club series and it has taken me a while to get back to full fitness.

“Batemans Bay, Cairns ... there’s some big races comin­g up.”