Late surge gives win to Barber

Josh Barber was pushed to the limit as he won the Nelson Triathlon Club’s Spring Duathlon at Rabbit Island on Sunday, after trailing for most of the race.

Charlie Squance led the small field as they completed the opening 4km run over difficult terrain, coming in ahead of Carl Smith, with Barber more than a minute behind.

The 16km, two-lap bike course required a combination of strength over the straight sections on soft ground and agility on two small technical sections.

Barber paced himself, drawing up alongside Squance towards the end of the second lap.

Once the bikes were parked, it came down down to a single 2km lap of the testing run course.

Barber played it cautiously, happy to sit behind until the final 200m, when he launched an attack that took him across the line seven seconds ahead of Squance, with Carl Thomas in third and Smith further back.

Lyn Smith showed her endurance to lead the women’s field after the 4km run, despite competing in the gruelling 26km Dun Run on Saturday.

However, Jane Townsend took the lead on the bike course and increased it in the final run section over a tiring Smith.

The sort race was dominated by teenagers, with rising talent Luke Clatworthy opening a commanding lead early in the first 2km run and increasing it on every stage to win by five minutes from Cullen Smith, Charlie Smith and Luke Scott.

Florence McNabb was a comfortable winner in the women’s section from Tracey Heaven and Lynne Munro.

Kevin Edgar strode away to win the walk section by 13 minutes from Maree Peter and Taylor Jopson.