Louise out of Navy and into
ADF Triathlon Hall of Fame

Way to go out: CPO Louise McNulty in the New Zealand Ironman, just one of the many gruelling events she has completed during her triathlon career of more years.

By WO2 Greg Young

After many years of watching our dedicated triathletes proudly represent the ADF, the Australian Service Triathlon Association (ASTA) instigated an award for the best performing triathletes, to be inducted on a yearly basis into the ADF Triathlon Hall of Fame.

CPO Louise McNulty from HMAS Watson, who has long been a fierce competitor in triathlon circles over many years, is this year’s inductee.

CPO McNulty started triathlons way back in the mid 1980s after watching a friend compete. Her first race was the Nepean Duathlon where she came second last and “only because I sprinted the last guy to the line and he cramped”.
Over her long and distinguished career there have been four highlights.

First was when her brother joined her for their first Australian Ironman in 1994.

“After being separated for the whole race I caught him in the last kilometre and we crossed the line together. This proved a life changing experience for us both,” said CPO McNulty.

Highlight number two was competing in the Hawaiian Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run) in 1995, but bettered only by highlight number three when CPO McNulty and her brother qualified for the Hawaiian Ironman and they raced together again.

CPO McNulty placed in 11th position in her age group.

Highlight number four was being awarded the most outstanding road running performance — female award in the 2002 & 2003 Woodstock Running Club for marathon performances in the 2001 Hawaiian Ironman and 2002 New Zealand Ironman.

CPO McNulty’s career has spanned many events, which includes six Australian Ironman races, two NZ Ironman races, two Hawaiian Ironman races, one Canadian Ironman race, 6th outright at the 1994 Tour De Femme and being crowned the ADF Female Triathlon Champion in 1996 and 2002.

CPO McNulty’s last race for the ADF was the Australian Long Course Championship on March 2, as she discharged from the ADF on March 11.

After that she will then concentrate on returning to the Island of Kona to once again compete in the Hawaiian Ironman; we all wish her all the best in the future.

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