Advanced Automotive and Coffs Coast Nutrition Race Report #3 - 5 November 2023

The feeling of trepidation and nerves abound when you take on the challenge of a Triathlon for the first time. Thoughts of how I do this and that run through the mind during the week leading up. But with guidance from Committee members Chris Hamilton, Kathryn Gibney and Elize Strydom, last minute questions were answered and bike assistance provided to help make the damper weather conditions as safe as could be.  For our athletes who completed today’s Try a Tri for the first time, stories of enjoying the adventure and ideal cooler conditions emerged.   Congratulations to Nicole Cutler, Velia Cornalio, Phil Wallace, Chris Binks, Alison Neal, Muhammad Ashaari Bin Abu Husin - all first-timers for this terrific effort! And to our newest members Andrew Gallagher and Annabelle Swainston clocking up their first races of the season, well done!

With absolutely the flattest, glassiest swim you could find at the Jetty, Wave 0 headed out at 6.20am thanks to the timely starting technique from our Lead Volunteer and Starter Aliria Bayndrian. Our volunteers nailed the swim, bike and run course set-up helped in part by some technical buoy adjustments care of Phil Benoit through the week. Thanks to all our volunteers who worked hard to move gear around while special mentions to Bella Bowes and Darren Bow for handling the swim boards and buoys to and from the beach as well as transporting transition gear.  

Taking advantage of the perfect swim conditions Adrian Hawke put down the fastest swim in a time of 10:05. As the showers kicked in through the first part of the bike course, everyone did well to get around the course safely and in good time.

Terrific to see Kathryn Gibney out on the course for the first time this season after hard work organising athletes and running our timing system. And of course this was made easier with the help of the wonderful Mick Booth – thanks Mick!  

Many of us enjoyed the wet run and cooler conditions to get around the course. Of note was the close competition for the fastest run. This honour goes to a classy 19:46 from Mark Garner who snuck past the younger Pat Brennan in 19:47, closely followed by Michael Brennan and Adrian Hawke.  A great time from MG who continues to put in the training…because he loves it so much! 38 athletes competed in the Enticer, Sprint, Aquathon and Aquabike events – fantastic roll up given the overnight weather and quite a few up at Noosa!   

In the women’s division, coming off some good training including Trent’s brick/run session yesterday, was first finisher Alina Hill in a time of 1:14:49 followed by Rainee Heron in 1:18:23 and Savannah Bartlett in 1:20:28.  Closely following were Kathryn Gibney, with Annabelle Swainston for her first season hit out, together with Jane Rudgley, Kathy Robson and Kristen Nash, cheered on by the kids and hubby Ian, all with close finishing times. 

In the men’s Sprint event, Adrian Hawke ran away with a finish time of 1:02:47 followed by Pat Brennan in 1:03.34 and brother Michael in 1:06:31. Steve Thompson is showing consistent form with a 1:17 finish while Sam Smythe, David Rudgley and Stephen Boyd are steadily improving their times. Great to see our sponsor David Reynolds out racing and Joe Quiring finishing his first Sprint event this season.   

In the Enticer, junior Delenn Croaker finished first in 45:54 followed by Dennis Houghton in 51:44 and first timer Nicole Cutler in 53:38. Carla provided great parental support to Delenn while terrific to see Dennis back on course. With Nicole was first timer Velia Cornalio, both ably escorted by Elize Strydom, volunteering to help out in between shooting some pics of us all – big thanks Elize! In the Aquabike, new member Andrew Gallagher rode across the line in a time of 51:53 followed by Claire Fairweather in 1:01:27. Over in the Aquathon, Alison Neal set a cracking pace to finish in 35:17 followed by Peter Birch, Pete Roberts and Marg Roberts.  Our race today was made possible with the support of our sponsors Advanced Automotive and Karl’s team in Lawson Cresence Coffs Harbour.  For advice, a check up and service on your vehicle please look up Karl who has been a Club sponsor for the past 3 years and will be able to look after you.  

And thank you to sponsors Louise and Col Williams of Coffs Coast Nutrition who made available a one hour consultation and two Alter G anti-gravity treadmill sessions to new athletes today.  Congratulations go to Nicole Cutler who wins the 1 hour nutrition consultation and to Velio Cornalio and Chris Binks that win the Alter G sessions. Louise has a wealth of experience in nutrition, dietetics and sports nutrition and has completed in all triathlon distances up to ironman and can provide advice on pre-competition, race day and much needed recovery. For any of us seeking to extend those kms or recovering from injury the Alter G sessions are fantastic to help you get back on course and Col can provide the right advice to get you going.  

We also acknowledge the support of the Toormina, Moonee and Sawtell Hotels for their ongoing support. Meal vouchers were made available to category winners. And today Kim and her team at the Happy Frog catered for our yummy breakfast with big thanks for the coffee voucher!

Full results can be found on the website at http://www.coffstri.com/results.html. For those using Strava, the race report can also be found there.

Remember we have the following opportunities for free Club coaching sessions – 

Spin bike: Wednesdays at 5.30pm at Beachbodies Health Club Coffs Harbour ($5 hire fee).

Coach Trent has the Bike/Run Brick sessions, with a much needed guided stretch after, at 7.00am Saturdays during November at Toormina Velodrome that has just been recently recoated and in great condition (bring a yoga mat or good towel for stretching after).  

Annette will be hosting more open water swim sessions when back from holidays.

Yamba Tri is coming up next on 19 November. Entries still available to join a good crew heading up there for the first of the North Coast Interclub Series events. 

Don't forget to save the date for the Christmas party to be held at the Moonee Tavern on the afternoon of 17 December – more to come through our comms on that! We look forward to seeing you at the next Club Race on 3 December with a 6.15am start.  

Peter Birch Race Director
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