Double-shot win for Tablelands barista
YUNGABURRA’S Megan Hendry swore she wouldn’t look over her shoulder but couldn’t help herself.
Hendry celebrated her thrilling second straight Coral Coast Triathlon win on Sunday, narrowly taking out the Yorkeys Knob event ahead of good mate Sarah Thomas.
In perfect conditions, the Tablelands barista exploded out of the blocks in the swim leg of the Olympic distance event emerging from the water three minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
But Thomas narrowed the gap on the 40km bike ride and again on the run.
“I tried not to look behind me and I know Sarah’s strength is her running,” Hendry, 28, said.
“I looked back with 600m to go and it was all or nothing at that point.
“I wasn’t comfortable until I crossed the finish line.
“Every lap I was worried. We’re good friends though and we try to train together when we can.”
While Hendry prevailed by just 10 seconds, it was a much easier race for Cairns nurse Tim Green who established an early lead and was never troubled.
“I felt pretty good and went out hard early,” Green, 34, said.
“They were catching me on the run so I was happy with my performance.
“The conditions suited me –
RACES
it was very flat on the water.” With more than 140 competitors in a range of events, race director Sean Hampson said the event had proven to be popular again with Far North triathletes.
“We were happy with the
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number of competitors and the feedback about the new course at Yorkeys Knob was positive,” Hampson said.
“We had 18 volunteers who put in a great effort on the day.”
Hendry will now turn her focus to the Townsville Triathlon Festival in August.
“It’s going to be even tougher than Coral Coast,” she said.
“It’s quite a big event with competitors from all over the country and always draws good triathletes.”