A Day of Extremes

Stormy weather forced a half-hour delay in the start of the race, providing a fair bit of chop in the water after the firing of a police shotgun sent arms flailing.

The wind was ferocious on the bike and by the time the athletes were running there was no shade to comfort them from a relentless sun. And it got hotter and still hotter.

Our Hillbillies fought all the way - congrats to Dingo who swam, cycled and ran to a sub 10 finish, earning him fourth place in his age group and just a minute shy of a PB - a relatively decent training day!

"It was the hardest ride,'' with massive headwinds, and Coke consumption began about half way on the bike, Dingo said. "I had a good swim, a controlled ride and a fast run.'' He swam sub 59, rode 5:24 and ran 3:27.

(There were reports that he cramped up in the chute as he celebrated towards the line!!)

JH reached the podium with a third-place finish - not a bad effort for his second ironman in as many months. Mr Consistency! He wasn't actually entered until a few weeks before today. Swim 1:08, Bike 5:25, Run 3:32

Lisa battled with some mechanical issues on the bike (new cleat screw sponsor being sought) and finished her third ironman within eight months (Forster, Korea and WA). It's a journey and progress is being made, step by step.

And to the most courageous, Gina. Second off the bike in her age group (behind a former pro), she made a huge effort on the run. Her stomach threw her a curve just 12km into the run and though she battled it, going more than 30km, she decided to save herself for another day. Canada is already on the agenda - is there going to be another?

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Special recognition to two former Hillbillies:

Charlotte ran a 3:10 marathon (the fastest women's run of the day) as she quietly and confidently took second place. A superb effort by one of the nicest triathletes you'll ever meet.

And Rod, fourth place in the toughest age group around (the one I'm in too). Awesome, awesome, awesome mate!

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Extra special thanks to our Ironmate reporters Margreet and Fee who called in reports through the day (I was working so I wasn't able to get every detail on the blog as it happened - there are limits.)

Apparently, one of them or was it both who individually said: "I'd be interested in doing this next year. Count me in!''

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

For detailed results you can find them through the athlete finder on Ironmanlive, check the M-dot link on the right hand side.