AT LAST: LCDR Doug Griffiths crosses the finish line in Denmark, his son Joshua enjoying the feeling with his dad.

He was a long way from home, but one RAN exchange officer has just completed the world Long Course triathlon championships in Denmark.

LCDR Doug Griffiths, the present Executive Officer of the Royal Navy Mine Hunter HMS Pembroke, competed for the second consecutive year at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Long Course triathlon championships, in Frederichia Denmark, approximately 230km west of Copenhagen.

Griffiths, a 34 year old Brisbane native, participated in the event as part of a 40-strong Australian Age group team.

The annual Long Course championships, attract the world’s best elite and age group triathletes. They compete over a gruelling course, which includes a 4,000 metre swim, a 120km ride and 30km run.

Selection for the Australian Age group team, whilst highly competitive and prestigious,
remains individually self-funded, and so with the generous support of Maritime
Headquarters, Griffiths joined the Australian team after extensive 2005 deployments
around the Baltic, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.

DRINK BREAK: LCDR Griffiths takes a well-earned drink during the run leg of the world Long Course triathlon championships in Denmark.

Though his preparation for the event was not ideal, due to injuries and sea time, the day finally arrived and Griffiths toed the cold 14 degree waters of the icy Baltic to face a swim course, shortened to 3km to reduce the chances of athletes giving in to hypothermia.

Exiting the water in the lower half of the field, Griffiths had a strong bike leg on a rolling wind swept three lap course, and clawed his way back through the field to establish himself in a solid position at the start of the 30km run.

Griffiths crossed the line, exhausted but still smiling, in 8hrs, to earn 51st place and fourth Australian within his age group (35 to 39 years).

Satisfied and still smiling, Griffiths used the opportunity to run across the finish line with his 5 year old son Joshua, who was on hand all day with his mum Emma to cheer on dad and all the members of the Aussie Team.

Preparing now to return to Australia after 26 months in the UK, Griffiths looks forward to some warmer races and the opportunity to qualify and again represent Australia next year in Canberra, when the World Long Course Championships move to Australia.

 

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