TRI Nations Podium at Paymark XTERRA Rotorua Festival

Australian, Ben Allen defended his title at the 11th annual Paymark XTERRA Rotorua Triathlon today, defending his title by just 19 seconds over South African, Stuart Marais. New Zealand teenager, Olly Shaw rounded out the Tri Nations podium, with a career first elite medal.

It is Allen’s fourth win on the XTERRA World Series this year, having taken out wins in Guam, Philippines and Saipan, amazingly defending all four titles from his 2012 season.

It was a close fought battle with just 19 seconds separating first and second, the tightest margin on the XTERRA World Series this year and one that came as a surprise to Allen who, after a commanding 1km swim and solid 26km Mountain Bike, led Marais onto the 11km run with a 2 minute buffer.

“I knew he was closing, but I thought I still had at least 30seconds. I just ran as hard as  could, anything can happen in XTERRA racing, that’s what I love about it, I never think I have won until I get across that line.”

Marais was left to question what could have been after having mechanical problems with his bike, at one point having to dismount to fix the problem.

Rotorua local and up and coming athlete, Olly Shaw, was pleased his first elite podium happened in his home town.

“As well as winning my age-group at the XTERRA World Champs last year, this is a real career highlight for me.”

Shaw will spend the next 12 months travelling and racing in Europe and potentially return to the XTERRA World Championships in Maui again this year.

Things don’t get any quieter for Allen with a half marathon in Tauranga tomorrow followed by a full Iron-distance Triathlon in Thailand the following weekend, after that he will be back on the XTERRA World Series.

“Out of the 17 XTERRA World Series races this year, I am racing 15 of them but Rotorua is my favourite, it is a fantastic event and such stunning scenery.”

A sentiment echoed by first-time XTERRA Rotorua entrant and women’s winner, Renata Bucher (Switzerland).

“I found it hard to rest this week before the race, the trails are so stunning here, I just wanted to keep riding and riding.”

Bucher topped the podium ahead of last year’s winner, Jacqui Slack (Australia) and New Zealand Olympic Mountain Bike representative, Karen Hanlen (Whakatane).
The Paymark XTERRA Rotorua Festival annually hosts more than 2,000 athletes in what is considered the world's largest single day XTERRA off-road triathlon festival with competitors choosing from a 5.5km, 11km or 21km  run/walk, a 26km mountain bike as well as an individual or team off-road triathlon. All events taking place at the stunning Blue Lake, Rotorua.


Paymark XTERRA Festival: Blue Lake, Rotorua
Saturday 13th April 2013

Triathlon
1km Swim, 26km Mountain Bike, 11km Run

Men’s                                                                   TOTAL
1. Ben Allen                      Australia               2:03:25
2. Stuart Maris                  South Africa         2:03:44
3. Olly Shaw                     New Zealand       2:06:14
4. Sam Shaw                    New Zealand       2:08:23
5. Joshua Kenyon            New Zealand        2:09:04


Women’s                                                            TOTAL                 
1. Renata Bucher             Switzerland           2:15:27
2. Jacqui Slack                 Great Britain          2:20:39
3. Karen Hanlen                New Zealand        2:23:29
4. Carina Wasle                Austria                  2:24:20
5. Sarah Backler               New Zealand        2:24:54

Full results and results from the other events can be found at www.xterra.co.nz