By
PTE John Wellfare
AIR
Force PTI Corporal Geoffrey Hanckel has won the men’s division
of the Cootamundra Triathlon for the second year in a row, while
his wife, Kate, has taken the honours in the women’s event.
Located at RAAF Base Wagga, CPL Hanckel said he and his wife had
entered the local competition in preparation for major events
later in the year.
“I’m training for the Australian championships in Easter and I
just used it as a bit of a hit out before we start to get ready
for that,” he said.
A licensed professional athlete, CPL Hanckel completed the event
in about 40 minutes. His wife finished in 51 minutes.
CPL Hanckel said the local community had been very supportive.
“I think it’s important that we try to promote the local events,”
he said.
“Because we’re military members, we don’t spend a lot of time
in the one spot, [so] I think we’ve got to show them that we’re
there and that we’re prepared to get involved in the community
activities.”
Despite wet conditions, a number of local people competed in the
Cootamundra Triathlon, which consists of a 13.2km cycle, 300m
swim and 5.3km run.
