The roar of V8 super cars was replaced with the echoing sound of carbon wheels as the state duathlon championship was held at Symmonds Plains today. Dylan Evans and Holly Ransom justified their pre race favouritism with an easy win in blustery and showery conditions.
The open race consisted of a 2.4km opening run leg around the pit area and home straight, followed by a 19.2km ride around the Symmonds track and finishing 2.4km run. A few triathletes that aren’t known for their swimming prowess were licking their lips about having a chance to rank well in today’s race. .
The strong runners prevailed as Dylan Evans took the lead from the start and was never headed in the Open men’s to finish in 46m 29s.The gusty northerly winds made the cycling a challenge down the back straight with the headwind causing up to 20km difference in speeds compared to the tailwind down the home straight. Hobart’s Kim Gillard rode a great bike leg to consolidate second place from Cradle Coast’s Brady Butcher third. Holly Ransom (56.37) took the female state open title from Sarah Fitzgerald and Sarah Ellis.
The novice event gave the opportunity for younger or first time competitors participate over a 1.6km/9.6km/1.6km course. Damien Kearney (31.17) won from James Dalton and Adrian Butler. The first female finishers were Inighion Quinn followed by Hayley Treloar and Kate Boxhall.
