Conditions proved almost perfect for the Contact National Duathlon Championships and the National School Duathlon Championships at Taupo Motorsport Park today, with the day dawning cool and foggy but soon clearing to blue skies and warm temperatures for the close to 500 participants.
There was a surprise winner in the elite men's race, with Brett Tingay from Christchurch making a successful transition from his middle distance track exploits to the much longer discipline of running and biking over the standard 10km run, 40km bike and 5km run.
"I was third off the bike and on to the final run but always thought I had enough in the legs, even if I was two minutes behind I thought I could make it up, it all went pretty much to plan. I'm sure I can bike a little better if I spend more time on the bike but this isn't bad for a debut appearance.
"I returned from a track trip to the USA in April and came home to no track to train or race on in Christchurch so I thought I would give this a go. I am normally a miler, 1500 and 800 runner but I have done a few half marathons and stuff so I thought it must be time to go long!"
"The calves were pinging a bit on the bike, it was hard because I'm not used to it. But the fog lifted and turned into a stunning day so it has been great. I'll be back again and looking to go quicker for sure."
The women's title was taken out by Elaine Brent (Wellington) after defending champion Mel Burke withdrew late in the first run leg, a troublesome tendon behind her right knee being the culprit.
Racing was perhaps at its most competitive in the elite U19 National Schools sprint championship, with Sam Ward (St Kentigerns Auckland) an impressive winner in the boys race, holding out Thomas McLaughlin and Zac Barber, with all three dipping under the hour mark for the race. In the girls it was a great win for Sophie Evans (Avonside) from Nadia McDonnell and Samantha Olley.
In the women's U19 elite sprint it was a very fit looking Maddie Dillon who took out the honours, winning the U19 elite title and being first overall across the line in the sprint distance.
The cheers were loud and long all day though for competitors as young as 10 and as old as the over 75 category, with Ray Bennett winning honours in that category as the heat of the day really took hold.
Schools from as far away as Whangarei, Ashburton, Gisborne and Christchurch were represented in the National Schools Competition, as well as a great turnout from the local schools in Taupo and surrounding areas.
Results: Contact National Duathlon Championship
Taupo Motorsport Park
Standard Distance (10km run, 40km bike, 5km run)
Elite Men
1 Brett Tingay (Christchurch) 1:57:54
2= Josh Harrison 1:58:26
2= Andrew Small 1:58:26
Elite U23 men
1 Owen Miller (Orakei) 2:00:49
2 Lachlan Davey (Wellington) 2:02:45
3 Alex Roberts 2:16:52
Elite Women
1 Elaine Brent (Wellington) 2:13:59
Sprint Distance 5km run, 20km bike, 2.5km run
U19 Elite Men
1 Tayler Reid (Gisborne) 58:33
2 Kieran Coates (Whakatane) 1:00:37
3 Josh Kenyon (Taupo) 1:02:13
U19 Elite Women
1 Maddie Dillon (Auckland) 1:05:19
National Schools Duathlon Championships
U19 Boys
1 Sam Ward (St Kents) 57:39
2 Tom McLaughlin (Hamilton Boys) 59:10
3 Zac Barber (St Bede's) 59:29
U19 Girls
1 Sophie Evans (Avonside High) 1:11:23
2 Nadia McDonnell (Tokomaririo High) 1:11:55
3 Samantha Olley (Craighead Dio) 1:13:15
U16 Boys
1 Fynn Thompson (Wakitipu College) 45:23
2 Mitchell Rutter (Otaki College) 45:33
3 Nathan Schuurman (Chch Boys High) 45:45
U16 Girls
1 Madeline Evans (St Kents) 50:06
2 Nicole van der Kaay (Taupo Nui-a-tia) 50:53
3 Jaimee Leader (Palm North Girls) 50:57
U14 Boys
1 Dan Hoy (Westlake Boys) 35:25
2 Matthew Manning (St Kents) 38:26
3 Caleb Aoake (St Kents) 38:46
U14 Girls
1 Katherine Badham (Takapuna) 40:29
2 Emma Daniels (Sacred Heart NPly) 41:18
3 Mikayla Harvey (St Kents) 41:47
Year 8 Boys
1 Bradley Christison (Tutira Primary) 23:59
2 Flynn Palmer (Bucklands Beach) 24:42
3 Louis Poot (Huanui) 25:08
Year 8 Girls
1 Estafana Fowler (Baradene) 26:34
2 Georgia Clode (Baradene) 27:16
3 Alicia Hoskin (Ilminster Int) 27:28
Year 7 Boys
1 Saxon Morgan (St Andrews Prep) 25:42
2 Logan Slee (Hutt International) 26:08
3 Thomas Christison (Tutira Primary) 26:33
Year 7 Girls
1 Eden Bastiaanse (St Andrews Prep) 28:16
2 Jessica Banks (Ashburton Int) 29:32
3 Julia Davis (Taupo Int) 29:47
Complete results will be posted online later today, click here for details.
