Right combination

A runner feels the pain at the end of the 10km run, one of the legs of the gruelling endurance event.

Taking the plunge during the swimming championships. Photos by Bill Cunneen

By WO2 Greg Young and Ben Caddaye

SOME of the fittest bodies in the ADF swam, rode and ran themselves to a standstill as the Australian Services Triathlon Association and ADF running and Athletics Association joined forces to stage the gruelling Combined Sports Championships last month.

Held at Holsworthy Barracks, RAAF Base Richmond and the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith, the championships comprised seven different events designed to stretch participants to the limit.

Cyclists competed in a time trial, 60km road race and criterium, runners took on the 10km athletics road race and swimmers hit the water for the swimming championships.

And those who fancied their chances at all three disciplines had a choice between a short course and Olympic distance triathlon.

True gluttons for punishment, however, had the opportunity to contest the endurance championships, which involved competing in every event across the five-day carnival.

Not surprisingly, only four hardy souls put their hands up to take on this supreme torture test.

The Air Force’s Corporal Sean Bell flew the flag for his service, and the No. 77 Squadron member went within a whisker of winning one of the toughest events in ADF sport.

CPL Bell finished the swim and three cycling events in front of his rivals, taking a slender lead into the athletics road race.

The Army’s Major Jeff Rudd, who had been on CPL Bell’s heels throughout the competition, performed outstandingly in the 10km run to set up a lead of just over a minute going into the final event – the Olympic distance triathlon.

Despite a brave display by CPL Bell, MAJ Rudd was able to hold off his rival to record a 5min 25sec win.

MAJ Rudd’s overall time for the six events was 5hrs 15mins, only six minutes ahead of CPL Bell.

In other results, Pilot Officer David Newton, from ADFA, had success on the bike, winning the 60km road race and criterium and finishing second in the time trial championships.

Meanwhile, Flying Officer Julia Lapworth won the 200m swim and the Air Force finished second in the Olympic distance triathlon point score.

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