Hot and dry conditions greeted competitors for the return leg of the inter-club series between the Forster and Port Macquarie triathlon clubs on Sunday, January 7.
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About 35 people took to the course at Elizabeth Park, Forster Keys which involved a 400 metre swim, 15 kilometre bike ride and four kilometre run.
Forster Triathlon Club president Dave Fitzhardinge said the sweltering conditions added to the challenge of completing the course.
“It was really windy early but dropped by the start of the race,” he said.
The A-grade event was taken out by Port Macquarie’s Harry Jones in a dominating time of 41 minutes and 20 seconds.
Taree’s Beau Harper was the next best in 45 minutes and 13 seconds.
Dave said it was Beau’s first triathlon in 12 months. Ali Fitch was the first female over the line in A-grade in 50 minutes and 49 seconds.
Dave finished fifth in the division in 49 minutes and 34 seconds.
“I was cooked,” he laughed.
Ben Johnson and Ryan Oxenford battled it out for almost an hour in the B-grade competition.
Ben clinched the win by 38 seconds, but timed in just one second ahead of Ryan and Adrian Pensini in the four kilometre run.
Dave said that despite the Forster course being shorter than Port Macquarie’s, some participants found it more challenging.