The Lake Hayes Christmas Tri Draws A Record Setting Field
Competitors were blessed with glorious weather, a light breeze and a great crowd - and the benefits of effective carbo loading from Christmas Day – for their chosen event. Around 180 people competed in the triathlon consisted of a 750 metre swim (or 4km paddle), 20km bike, 5km off-road run. Around 50 people competed in the duathlon of a 1.5km run, followed by the same 20km bike and 5km off-road run.
Jamie Whyte of Auckland, was first to cross the finish line with a winning time of 1:01:02. In second place was Matt King of Invercargill with a time of 1:01:25, winner of the inaugural Jack’s Point triathlon earlier this month. Aaron Barclay of Riversdale was third with a time of 1:02:41, which also won him the Junior Male category prize. Sid Cummings, who has done this race “more times than he can remember”, won the veteran male category in a time of 1:07:39. Jamie said that he loved this classic race and thought that it was fantastic to see the field growing year after year.
The women’s triathlon was won by Rebecca Grant from Dunedin in a time of 1:09:39, closely followed by her rival Katie Menzies, also from Dunedin, in a time of 1:10:19. Emma Rathbone came third with a time of 1:13:48. The Junior Female category was won by Reubyn Bisschops with a time of 1:11:33 and Karen Blackwood of Dunedin won the veteran female category with a time of 1:117:17. Rebecca Grant was delighted with her win, being her first race of the summer season. “It was great way to start the summer off and have a good blowout,” she said.
The Open Male Duathon was won by Tim Rush with winning time of 1:03:32, followed by Geoff Hunt of Queenstown with a time of 1:07:21 and Sam Keenan with a time of 1:07:54.
The Open Female Duathlon was won by Anna Stott with winning time of 1:14:17, followed by Rachel Sloan with a time of 1:20:16 and Kerry Lewis with a time of 1:31:55.
The Lake Hayes Triathlon is New Zealand’s oldest surviving triathlon but it’s recently been reborn as part of Iconic Adventure’s new Salomon Southern Tri Series. The series includes four unique triathlons in three stunning locations in the Wakatipu region, of which this was the second. Competitors need to enter three out of four races to be in the running to win the series.
Next on the calendar is The Paradise Off-Road Tri (21 February 2010) followed by the series finale, the Lake Hayes Easter Tri (Good Friday 2 April 2010).
The low-key Lake Hayes Tri was first organised by Queenstown’s Tom Pryde in 1983. It now runs biannually during the Christmas and Easter holiday breaks and is thought to be the cornerstone of much larger events in the New Zealand triathlon calendar. It has doubled as the New Zealand National Championships, the Oceania Championships, and the World Championships in the past. This triathlon has fostered the growth of Summer Triathlon over the years - many previous Lake Hayes entrants have gone on to become household names in triathlon
Race Director Tracey Neil was thrilled at the huge turnout at the latest Iconic Adventures event.
“This was just a superb day! Weather could not have been better and the turnout was just fantastic. The record numbers this year are showing how much the sport is growing once again.”
The event was very well supported by local businesses with over $1,000 worth of spot prizes being given away to dozens of lucky competitors. Sponsors included Salomon, Outside Sports, More FM, Queenstown Health, Blueseventy Wet Suits, Onsen Hot Pools, Kawarau Jet, Nature Valley Foods, Queenstown Podiatry, Julbo Sunglasses, Export 33 Beer, Kinloch Lodge, Lakes Leisure, Dart Stables, Hamill’s Restaurant and Waitiri Creek Winery.