Race #51

A large international contingent from countries including Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Japan, France, United States, Zimbabwe, Austria, Venezuela and the United Kingdom joined the local competitors for the seventh race in the Stroke & Stride Series.  Auckland turned on some great weather for the visitors as they tackled the 1000 metre swim and 3 kilometre run at St Heliers Bay.

The women’s field were started first and the pace was furious at the front as a group of five got a break on the remainder of the field.  First to run up the beach was Jackie Read in a time of 11 minutes and 1 second, she was followed by Megan Evans (11 min  11 sec), Megan Dalton (11 min 21 sec), Naomi Calder (11 min 24 sec) and Marisa Pentecost (11 min 29 sec).  These five therefore set out on the run all in sight of each other and the large crowd eagerly waited to see if placings would alter on the out and back run leg to Kohimarama.  Wellington’s Megan Evans has won all the major short course triathlons in New Zealand this summer and carried this form into her first Stroke & Stride of the season as she recorded fastest run of the night and claimed her first ever win in a Stroke & Stride.  Series leader Megan Dalton moved up to second on the run ahead of Gisborne’s Naomi Calder.  Jackie Read finished in fourth place, ten seconds ahead of Marisa Pentecost in fifth.

The men’s field featured a clash of the codes.  Representing Surf Life Saving was the defending men’s champion Brent Foster and representing Triathlon was their junior world champion, Nathan Richmond.  Both these two are outstanding swimmers so it was no surprise to see them first and second out of the water, Brent Foster recording 10 minutes 19 seconds and Nathan Richmond 10 minutes 30 seconds.  Also well placed were Malcolm McGregor (10 min 47 sec) and Brendon Downey (10 min 50 sec).  Unfortunately for Nathan Richmond on this occasion Brent Foster was taking no prisoners and ran away with the race  recording the fastest run split of the night to go with his fastest swim time.  Nathan Richmond had won the last two races however this time had to settle for second place.  Brendon Downey overhauled Malcom McGregor during the run for third and Chris Andrews was the only recognised runner to break into the top five despite being 70 seconds down after the swim.

The Series Grand Prix will be decided in the next race and results in this race would prove crucial for athletes attempting to cement positions in the top five and share in the increased prize money recently announced.