Champs impress

By WO2 Greg Young

The ADF triathlon team looking sharp and set to go for the Ironman race. First ADF member to cross the line was Cpl Lynton Goowin from the Pilbara Regt in a time of 9:52:36. Photo provided by WO2 Greg Young, HQ 5 Bde

THE ADF’s top triathletes recently participated in the Australian Ironman competition at Forster, showing the rest of the triathlon community exactly what Defence members are made of.

On April 6, 32 Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) Triathletes lined up to compete in the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run, to see if they could become an Ironman legend.

This year’s team was special as it had representatives from all areas of Australia and representing every aspect of the ADO, ARA, RAAF, Navy, Reservists, Defence Public Servants, male and female all ready to fly the Defence Force flag.

Wg-Cmdr Colin Clarke from Supply Chain SPO finished in a time of 10hr 15min 41sec to be placed 4th in his age group, which was the best age group performance of the team. For his efforts he qualified for the Hawaiian Ironman in October this year.

When the alarm clock rang out at 3am, 1525 Triathletes dragged themselves out of bed to begin the longest day in sport. They were welcomed by the sound of rain on the rooftops and knew that it would be a long gruelling day, battling the rain and wind.

With this knowledge they continued down to the start point to prepared their equipment.

At precisely 6.15am the starting gun sounded and 3050 arms started churning the water, turning a calm lake into a mass of white water.

This is the most dangerous part of triathlon, you can expect to be punched and kicked in the face as you battle for position amongst others all trying to do the same.

This year Pte Eliot from 3RAR was out to prove that he was the best long distance swimmer in the ADO and quickly set out to catch the leading pros.

He came out of the water in 49min 25sec to be the first ADO member and 23rd overall and 3rd in his age group. The first female was Jodie Barker, a Defence Civilian from HMAS Cerberus, in a time of 1hr 1min 12sec.

Heading out on the bike into the rain, which was falling in waves, many competitors were finding the going hard, with only the strongest swallowing up the field.

Amazingly one of the Japanese Age Groupers forgot his bike shoes, but in a display of courage he rode the entire 180km barefoot and still recorded a cycle time of 5hr 19min 0sec.

The cycle leg was where Cpl Lynton Goodwin from the Pilbara Regiment took control of the race – his cycle time of 5hr 12min 23sec was 16 minutes faster than any other ADO member and was 69th fastest overall – 9th in his age group. Jodie Barker was still holding down a commanding lead and had in her sights on the ADO female race record.

Going into the run leg Cpl Goodwin was holding on to a winning lead, but late in the race he found himself being run down by Flt-Lt Richard Gardiner from 76 Sqn, who was setting a blistering pace on the road.

Flt-Lt Gardiner was reaching deep to make up the distance, but fell short, as Cpl Goodwin rose to the challenge and crossed the line in 9hr 52min 36sec to be crowned the ADO Ironman Champion.

Flt-Lt Gardiner recorded the fastest run time of the day with a 3hr 12min 31sec marathon, which was 35th overall and 6th in his age group. His run time was also the fastest run time ever by an ADO male and he was the second ADO member across the line in a time of 10hr 7min 32sec.

Ms Barker was having the race of her life and crossed the line in 10hr 46min 58sec to be crowned the ADO Ironwoman Champion.

Along the way she smashed the ADO female record by 36 minutes.

Her run time of 3hr 41min 34sec was also the fastest run time ever by an ADO female.

For further information on the sport of triathlon, contact WO2 Greg Young on (02) 9600 4366 or by e-mail greg.young2@defence.gov.au