Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

The team of ADF Triathletes who participated in the Noosa Multi Sport Festival. Some outstanding results were achieved, in particular, WO2 Shelly Forster was the fastet female in her age group.Photo provided by the Noosa 2003 ADF Triathlon Team

High performance

By WO2 Greg Young
PROVING that age shall not weary determined athletes, WO2 Shelley Forster, APA-Brisbane, recently was the fastest competitor in her age group in the 2004 Noosa Triathlon.

She was also the fastest ADF female entrant of the 22 ADF triathletes who fronted at Noosa for the event, with a time of 2hr 16min 41sec.

Started in 1983, the Triathlon has grown steadily to become the world's second largest triathlon, attracting more than 3600 competitors and 30,000 spectators.

A part of the 10-day Noosa multi sports festival, it comprises a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run along Noosa Sound.

It provides an opportunity for ADF triathletes of all ability to compete alongside the world's best.

A hot and humid morning greeted the 1800 competitors on November 2, as they set out on the swim.

The elite males were the first to hit the water, with the age groups following every four minutes in wave after wave; up to 150 competitors per wave.

At one stage there were swimmers in the water, cyclists were powering around the cycle course and the elite males had started the run leg.

Although flat, the course gets very hot. Temperatures were soaring by the time the majority of competitors started the run.

The fastest ADF male competitor was Capt David Little, 25/49RQR, in a time of 2hr 6min and placed 142nd overall. Second place went to Sgt Bradley Gordon, 41RNSWR and third went to Maj Jeff Rudd from RTC- SEQLD.

All the other ADF individual and team competitors performed to their best ability and demonstrated convincingly to their civilian counterparts that the ADF is more than able to hold its own in the sporting field.

The triathlon over, WO2 Forster is now in Queenstown, New Zealand as part of the Australian Age Group team competing at the World Championships.

The Australian Services Triathlon Association (ASTA) with the help of our national sponsors Tenix and Uncle Toby's supported the ADF triathletes.

Noosa is an amazing race, with every conceivable body shape and ability level taking part.

If you thought that doing an Olympic distance event was beyond you, then think again.

Noosa offers everyone the opportunity to compete in a marvellous atmosphere, against some of the finest athletes in the world.

If you would like to compete at Noosa or any other triathlon contact your local ASTA representative or WO2 Greg Young on (02) 96004266 or e-mail greg.young2@defence.gov.au