Triathlon rides wave of success

AMONG the pain-filled faces of the Hobart Schools Triathlon Challenge at Bellerive yesterday, the smile on the face of Sarah Gilmore of St Michael’s Collegiate shone through. More than 750 high school students competed in the event, including Jake Direen, of Guilford Young College, inset. Today it will be the primary schools’ turn with more 2900 children signed up to swim, ride and run their way through the course.

HUNDREDS of students bombarded Bellerive Beach for Day One of Hobart’s Schools Triathlon Challenge yesterday, ahead of an even bigger day of competition at the event today.

About 750 high schoolaged students swam, ran and rode through gusty conditions on the triathlon’s opening day — a week after the event’s Devonport leg attracted more than 2000 participants.

Year 8 Fahan School student Abbey Willcox, who was first across the line in her age category, said the windy weather was more a benefit than a burden.

“The swim was quite hard because the water was cold and choppy, but I found on the ride it was actually pretty easy getting up the hill because of the strong tail breeze,” she said.

“I really enjoyed how many people came out to support us all.”

Event organiser Tim

Smith said about 2950 primary-aged students will take part in the triathlon today. “When you add all the extra bodies like parents and volunteers, we’re predicting about 5000 people to be at Bellerive Beach,” he said.

Mr Smith said this year’s triathlon was a product of dozens of teachers, parents and volunteers donating time to create an event that thousands of kids benefited from.