Triathlon to test fitness levels
People of all ages and abilities will have an opportunity to test their levels of fitness at Tri Horsham’s 2017 Horsham Triathlon on February 11.
Organisers have again scheduled a Sunday twilight competition for the annual event with junior competitors starting at 4pm and seniors from 5pm.
The course will be the same as last year, with a swim leg in the Wimmera River and run and bicycle legs along the river banks.
The event starts at Horsham Soundshell at Sawyer Park at the southern end of Firebrace Street.
Ballarat’s Jack Kelly, originally from Stawell, won back-to-back overall titles last year in a time of 58.52 minutes from Evan Ipsen.
Horsham’s Susie Ellis won the women’s overall title in 1:09:05 as more than 100 competitors took part in various categories.
Tri Horsham, a group of Horshambased triathletes who enjoy training together and travelling to various triathlons across the country, is working hard to follow on strongly from the success of last year’s event.
The group has urged individuals, groups or teams to get involved in the fitness challenge.
It has organised the course to provide ample opportunities for spectators to observe all stages of the event.
Some arrangements are different to other years, with a duathlon discontinued this year due to insufficient entries in recent events, but organisers have created more categories to a longcourse teams event.
The Horsham Triathlon is part of the Telstra Store-howdy Rural Race Tri Series involving seven rural triathlons, including events at Yarrawonga, Benalla, Echuca, Nagambie, Swan Hill and Shepparton.
This series provides opportunities for athletes to compete in varied and wellrun events, honing their skills during summer and at the same time accumulating points towards an overall series.
The Horsham event’s long course starts at 5pm and includes a 500-metre swim, 20-kilometre ride and fivekilometre run.
A tri short course starts at 5.30pm and features a 200-metre swim, sevenkilometre ride and 2.5-kilometre run. Spokesman Mark Pumpa said entrants did not need to be super athletes.
“We come in all sizes, ages and abilities, so don’t feel daunted because you were born with two left feet,” he said.
“With a small amount of training, anyone can complete a tri, and enjoy the great sense of achievement that it brings, not to mention the physical benefits that follow.
“Think you can’t swim, or are a lousy runner? Then get some friends together and form a team.
“Competing with friends is a really great way to experience a tri, and also build closer bonds with the people you share the experience with.
“Triathlons are easy to get involved in and are open to all ages, with most events catering for juniors and various age group categories.”
People seeking more information can call Mark Pumpa on 0477 678 679 or Sharon Howden on 0419 348 585.