Race #42

The best weather conditions of the season to date, with no wind and hardly a ripple on the water greeted competitors as they lined up for the start of Race #6. This was the race that the runners were looking forward to with only a 500 metre swim followed by the 5 km run.  The women’s field started the race with a six minute lead over the men.  First to exit the water was a wetsuitless Jo Craddock in 7 minutes 15 seconds.  A minute behind was a bunch that included Heidi Alexander and Suzanne Clark and a further 30 seconds behind were Anne Buckley and Lorene Smith.  Heidi Alexander also raced without her wetsuit and therefore set out in pursuit of Jo Craddock in second place.

The hottest runner in the women’s field this year has been Anne Buckley who has set some scorching run times, so it was no surprise when she retumed to St Heliers in first place and recorded her first win of the Series.  Heidi Alexander moved through for second place ahead of Jo Craddock in third, while Suzanne Clark ran home for fourth ahead of veteran Lorene Smith.

The men’s field was lead from the water by Malcolm McGregor in a time of 7 minutes, Paul Anderson finished the swim leg in 7 minutes 30 seconds, Jared Letica in 7 minutes 35 seconds, Matthew Brook in 7 minutes 45 seconds, Mark Hutchinson in 7 minutes 56 seconds and Glen Tasker in 8 minutes flat, so there was intense competition at the front of the field.  The hottest runners in the men’s field were without doubt Jared Letica and Mark Hutchinson and they quickly stamped their authority on the field as they moved to the front and then commenced battle between themselves.

After 5 kilometres it was Jared Letica’s advantage at the end of the swim that made the difference as he headed off Mark Hutchinson and took first place by just 13 seconds.  The best of the rest turned out to be junior Matthew Brook who beat home Glen Tasker in fourth and Roy Warren in fifth place.