Sunday 16 December 2012
10 Tri Alliance athletes made the 8 hour drive up the Hume Hwy and a beautiful day greeted athletes in the Australian Capital Territory for the Canberra 70.3 Half Ironman on the weekend. The water was like glass and barely a breath of air as athletes prepared their transition areas. But it was not to last long as the wind started to pick up and athletes in the second wave (some 1.5hours after the first group!) copped the brunt of the wind.
The 5 lap bike course proved to be beneficial for some, but not others as drafting penalties were handed out. But overall a well run race. Well done to each athlete on their results, some with bigger goals ahead so a great chance to see how the training is progressing.
Adam Murone M35-39
Swim 35:08 | Bike 2:22:31 | Run 1:39:00 | Overall 4:42:25 | Place 31
Hard to fault Adam’s race, with three solid legs and a great overall result. he looked great out on course and our first athlete across the line.
Charlie Nathan M25-29
Swim 30:56 | Bike 2:22:55 | Run 1:51:22 | Overall 4:50:44 | Place 36
Charlie had a fantastic first Half IM race, with everything going to plan – apart from the drafting penalty A solid race all round as he prepares for his first Ironman at Port MacQuarie next year.
Steve Akins M45-49
Swim 33:31 | Bike 2:23:42 | Run 1:47:43 | Overall 4:51:04 | Place 10
Had a perfect lead-in until a week out he was laid up in bed crook. Bad timing to get sick, but credit to him, he came out and had a great race with a solid result overall and a top 10 place to boot!
Steve Bridges M50-54Swim 35:05 | Bike 2:21:39 | Run 1:56:03 | Overall 4:58:40 | Place 11
A solid swim, great bike and toughed it out on the run with limited run prep leading in due to injury. He was happy to finish with a sub 5-hr and finishing in 11th place – not a bad effort at all!
Ariel Grana M35-39Swim 35:36 | Bike 2:30:11 | Run 1:58:24 | Overall 5:10:25 | Place 83
Ariel had a game plan leading into this race – which focused purely around Ironman Melbourne. He stuck to his game plan with a great swim, solid bike and a tempo run. He was happy to forgo a sub-5hr to know that his training is on track and looking forward to the final build into Melbourne. 
Paul Venner M45-49
Swim 40:10 | Bike 2:33:10 | Run 2:19:33 | Overall 5:40:38 | Place 38
Never far from a Half Ironman Course, Paul had a consistent race all round including a handy bike time to finish closer to 5:30 than 6hours on a tough days racing. Well done Paul!
Carly Marsh F25-29
Swim 45:52 | Bike 3:03:10 | Run 2:29:05 | Overall 6:27:50 | Place 31
Carly only started with us weeks before her race, with her biggest concern the swim. But come race day, the smooth conditions in the water proved that she could do it and ended up with a great first Half IM. Well done Carly!
Jeanette Linehan F40-44
Swim 39:50 | Bike 3:16:40 | Run 2:41:09 | Overall 6:47:26 | Place 31
Heading out in the 2nd wave it was going to be tough for those as the wind picked up on the bike and the sun came out to play on the run. But backing up from Shepparton Half Ironman to clock up her 11th Half Ironman – it is always great to have J out on course and her humour never falters. Well done J on another Half Ironman Finish!
Viet Pham M30-34
Swim 47:37 | Bike 3:07:13 | Run 2:45:28 | Overall 6:51:02 | Place 194
Also new to the distance, Viet had a game plan but unfortunately for him, things didn’t go to that plan! Severe cramping hit him from the end of the swim that stuck around for the rest of the race, which had him at times had him crouched over in agony on the side of the run course. He was thankful for the support from fellow athletes on and off the course to help him finish his first Half IM.
Melissa Collins F30-34
Swim 45:27 | Bike 3:21:51 | Run 2:39:09 | Overall 6:53:48 | Place 45
Mel had some interruptions leading int her first Half IM with injuries, but that didn’t stop her determination and went in prepared. The aim of the game was to finish and that she did, top work Mel!
CLICK HERE to view our photo album from the race
CLICK HERE to view full competitor results from the race.
