By
Andrew Stackpool
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Air
Force
Ironmen
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|
FLTLT
Richard Gardiner 9:19:43
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|
SGT
Craig Holland
10:02:27
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FLTLT
Julian Weller
10:17:03
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SGT
Craig Ewen-Crawford 10:33:59
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FLTLT
Stephen Jones
10:46:47
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SGT
Philip Griffis
10:47:36
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FLTLT
Malcolm Walker
10:47:47
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CPL
Dean Cook
10:51:19
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SGT
Allan Lawrence
11:15:49
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SGT
John Caples
11:47:13
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CAPT
Robert Frank (USAF)
11:56:05
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WGCDR
Brock McKinlay
13:36:12
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FLIGHT
Lieutenant Richard Gardiner from RAAF Base Williamtown has proved
he is a true Ironman when he was first home in category and first
Defence athlete home in the Australian Ironman, held at Forster-Tuncurry
on April 3.
FLTLT Gardiner clocked an extraordinary 9:19:43 to finish as the
first ADF competitor, 27th overall and first in the men’s
25-29 age group after a blistering 3:02:01 marathon.
His run was 37 seconds slower than the marathon he ran last year,
but his overall time was about 17 minutes faster than his previous
achievement.
FLTLT Gardiner was part of the 42-strong Defence team that joined
more than 1500 other triathletes for the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle
and 42km run.
Army dominated the ADF team with 21 starters, Air Force fielded
12, including an exchange USAF Captain and Flight Lieutenant Stephen
Jones, who was competing for the 10th time, while Navy had six
members in the team.
Three Defence civilians, including Defence Ironwoman Legend Teresa
Kunaeva (19 times), completed the team.
Flight Lieutenant Julian Weller from RAAF Base Edinburgh set the
Defence pace as he emerged from the water in 0:51:24, just four
minutes behind professional champion Chris McCormack who was heading
for his fourth straight win. FLTLT Weller was 39th overall and
third in his age group.
In the cycle leg, FLTLT Gardiner’s experience showed as he
took control of the race. He recorded the fastest Defence cycling
time of 5:10:22, which was 147th overall and 26th in his age group.
FLTLT Weller hit the line just 11 minutes behind him.
In the marathon, FLTLT Weller, FLTLT Gardiner and Leading Seaman
Brad Hetharia set up their own private battle for the line.
This is the last year the Ironman competition will be held at
Foster. From next year it will be competed at Port Macquarie.
For more information on the sport of triathlon, contact WO2 Greg
Young on (07) 38823891 or email dandgyoung@optusnet.com.au.
