BATHURST versus the world – it may seem like an epic challenge, but it was one a group of local triathletes rose to meet on the Gold Coast.
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Six members of the Bathurst Wallabies Triathlon Club – Fran Grady, Terry Roberts, Josh Stapley, Mark Windsor and Dennis and Jodie Martin – competed at the International Triathlon Union’s World Grand Finals as part of Australia’s age group team.
All of them impressed in a field of more than 1,500 as the Martins contested the sprint distance event in their age category and the others the standard distance. Windsor raced in both.
While Windsor was the best performed as he notched up a pair of top 10 finishes in his men’s 55-59 years age division, he rightly pointed out the efforts of the other Bathurst competitors were mighty.
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Over the 750 metres swim, 20 kilometre cycle and 5km run, Dennis Martin (men’s 55-59) placed 19th in one hour, eight minutes and 43 seconds while Jodie Martin (women’s 45-49) clocked a 1:13.29 to place 22nd.
It was the first time that the pair had competed at this level, while Grady was a rookie was well. She covered the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run of Sunday’s standard race in 2:59.10. It placed her 51st in her 55-59 years category.
“Dennis and Jodie and Fran, they’re all experienced triathletes, but they haven’t done that ITU world thing before,” Windsor said.
“It’s very nerve racking, so those guys have all performed incredibly well because it’s a new level of emotion going to those titles because of the extra rules and changes and everything is so formal and serious.
“Dennis, he had a stress fracture and fair dinkum you wouldn't have recognised, he would have run through a wall.
“For Fran to break three hours in her first go - it was amazing. She was pretty unflappable and I think she’s got a lot more to offer now.”
Stapley and Roberts have both previously represented their country, but they impressed as well in the standard distance races.
Stapley overcame a difficult bike leg to place an impressive 15th in his 20-24 men’s division in 2:04.52 while Roberts – more noted for Ironman distance racing – ranked 16th in the 55-59 men's group in 2:12.12.
“Josh, he was sort of starting to drop off and he wouldn't have been happy with his bike, but he's actually got it all together and really finished well in the run,” Windsor said.
“That's a sign he’s really got his game back on. That's the experience and growing - when things are going a bit south but you pull everything together for the last leg, it's a great thing for Josh.
“Terry, it doesn't suit him that format at all, but for him to finish top 20 with a smile on his face the whole way, that's great.
"As a percentage the Olympic distance is more swim based than anything and it suits neither of us, but it in particular doesn't suit Terry.”