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Luke McKenzie places 6th in the second Gold Coast Triathlon - Luke Harrop Memorial.
By: Lisa Pringle, duathlon.com
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08-02-2004 |
The cream of Australian triathlon came together today to take part in the second Gold Coast Triathlon - Luke Harrop Memorial. It is a rare sight when you see the best in the world come together to form teams, and while still fiercely competitive, compete in a relaxed way and celebrate the spirit of triathlon. Men's Olympic first reserve Brad Kahlefeldt today beat home an international field to win the Gold Coast Triathlon - Luke Harrop Memorial.
The former U23 World Champion and winner of the Queensland Sprint Title in January put in the fastest run split to run away with the victory in the end after a group of 12 formed on the bike that contained the UK's Stuart Hayes, David Dellow who placed third here last year, U23 Viridian Noosa Triathlon Champion Alan Moran, Levi Maxwell and local Luke McKenzie. Hayes who is currently training at Runaway Bay with girlfriend Michelle Dillon, both in preparation for their Olympic trials in April held on to take second today and Morayfield's, David Dellow again recorded a third placing in this event.
British Olympic hopeful Michelle Dillon took out the elite women's division in her first race back after being sidelined due to injury. “I am really pleased with this result being my first race back. I am now just about on top of my injury problems and looking forward to our Olympic trials in April,” said Dillon.
Dillon also beat a class field with 17-year-old Felicity Abram from Toowong putting in a great run to chase down known run specialist Nikki Egyed for second today. Dillon, a Commonwealth Games 10km representative also showed her form has returned recording 27:09 for the 8km. Some of these athletes have come off heavy training schedules while others are in the midst of programs leading up to their Olympic selection trials. While the elite field was a star studded affair the team's categories today upstaged them with the strength and depth of the athletes that competed.
Having secured his Olympic spot, Greg Bennett competed in the elite event and while up with the early race leaders was a little flat today but happy to be part of the day and remember his friend Luke. “I will always return to do this race. It's a great way to remember why we took up this sport, Luke would have loved it.” Bennett will now return home to the Sunshine Coast. Fellow Sunshine Coast resident, Andrew Johns also competed today but finished out of the top ten while girlfriend Lisbeth Kristen teamed up with World Champion silver medallist, Laura Reback and Annie Emmerson to take out the Female Teams category.
Second in this category today was the combination of our latest triathlon star and Olympic representative Maxine Seear who teamed with Annabel Luxford. The self confessed mother of the women's Olympic team, Rina Hill made it a family affair when she teamed up with her husband in `Team Hillbillies' while their daughter cheered mum and dad on from the sidelines. Not a bad first up result for the mixed pair placing fourth.
The showdown of the day came about in the teams category with the Harrop, Walton and Snowsill combination up against Ky Hurst, Miles Stewart and current Australian 5km Cross Country Champion, Tim Mackiewicz. “I've done about 70km in the pool this week so I won't be going out too hard in the swim,” said Hurst before race start. However, Stewart then gave him strict instructions that he wanted a lead going into the bike leg so Hurst showed us his best recording a 9:38 for the 1km swim. However they were all winners as Harrop, Walton and Snowsill took out the mixed teams and Hurst, Stewart and Mackiewicz the male teams.
Hurst's attention is firmly fixed on his Olympic Trials coming up in March where he will vie for one of the two spots on offer for the 1500m. Another late team that formed just before the start today was Chris Hill and Rebekah Keat who finished second to Harrop, Walton and Snowsill. “This is a fantastic race and great way to celebrate Luke's life,” said Hill.
The event doubled as the Queensland Short Course Championships which attracted a huge field of nearly 700 athletes looking to claim a title. The Gold Coast Triathlon - Luke Harrop Memorial is the only longer distance triathlon available to athletes on the Gold Coast - 1km swim, 3 x 10km loops on the bike and 2 4km loops on the run.
Today Loretta Harrop, chose to celebrate the day by taking part in a team event with Craig Walton and Emma Snowsill. “This is a great race and the course is fantastic, it's not often you get to enjoy the road to yourself and feel safe. I hope that people will continue to support the event and it can continue to grow,” said Harrop.
On Saturday the inaugural Just Kids Gold Coast Triathlon was held and a big hit with all the kids who turned out to enjoy taking part in a triathlon, some for the first time.
At the completion of today's race the presentation of the male and female winners of the Luke Harrop Memorial Bursary was made by Russell Harrop. The Bursary is made of three events Mooloolaba Triathlon, Noosa Triathlon and The Gold Coast Triathlon Luke Harrop Memorial. This year's winners of the perpetual trophy and $2,500 were Alan Moran and Emma Snowsill.
Overall Results - Male
1. Brad Kahlefeldt Wagga Wagga 1:19:36
2. Stuart Hayes (UK) 1:19:59
3. David Dellow Morayfield 1:20:18
4. Alan Moran Ashgrove 1:20:31
5. Levi Maxwell Banyo 1:20:48
6. Luke McKenzie Robina 1:21:06
Females
1.Michelle Dillon (UK) 1:27:38
2.Felicity Abram Toowong 1:27:44
3.Nikki Egyed Camp Hill 1:28:24
4.Samantha McGlone Canada 1:28:34
5.Megan Hall Dee Why 1:31:22
6.Melanie Mitchell Bray Park 1:32:29
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