Triathletes show real steel in Ironman

The race comprised a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run, with more than 1500 competitors taking from just over 8hr30min to 17hr to complete the challenge.

Heavy rain cleared on race morning for the mass swim start but a strong southerly wind persisted throughout the bike leg before clearing for the run.

Illawarra Triathlon Club members did themselves proud in finishing the race.

Although he has a wealth of elite triathlon experience, Mark Clough finished his first Australian Ironman in 10.04hr after having one of the most competitive swim-ride legs in the strong field. Patrick McNeill (12.40) was also pleased with his first-time finish.

Steve Newman (10.17) had a solid race just four weeks after competing in the New Zealand Ironman event and Mark Scott (10.54) was satisfied with his result, considering the limited preparation and training he had taken into this race.

Mark's biggest triumph was as a coach, with two of his athletes, Carolyn Dews and Bob Scott, achieving personal best times.

Dews (11.05) was third place in her age group but missed qualification for the world titles in Hawaii.

Competing in his sixth Ironman, Bob Scott (11.45) not only recorded his PB but improved his overall position by almost 200 places.

However, he could not hold out Gareth Buckley, an Illawarra veteran of 16 Australian Ironman events, who overtook him in the run to complete the course in an excellent time of 11.33.

The ITC's final race of the season is at the Illawarra Senior College, Port Kembla, on April 27. Registration at 7am-7.30am and the race starts at 8am.

For more information, visit www.itc.org.au.