It was the biggest Kingscliff Triathlon yet with crowds up to six deep for the main race of the day.
More than 900 competitors took part in the Tweed Parks, Kingscliff Triathlon at Kingscliff on Sunday morning including 100 seven to 12 year olds.
And they were watched by a large crowd which organisers have estimated at 1000 strong throughout the morning.
The day started with the seven to 12 year olds and culminated in a win by Courtney Atkinson who used the event as a lead up for his Olympic campaign. His mum Vicky, a swim teacher on the Gold Coast, was there to watch her son in action as well as several of her young charges compete in the junior competitions.
“They are getting really really good, hopefully they are the next generation coming through,” she said.
Her son was also impressive taking out the Nev Salmon Memorial Trophy. Through the heat and fierce competition Atkinson didn’t fail to disappoint the spectators on Sunday morning at the Tweed Parks Kingscliff Triathlon.
Courtney, who lead from start to finish, won the Open Men Olympic division in a time of 1 hour 44.34, three minutes ahead of Jack Hickey and Joseph Lampe. Jodie Stimpson was impressive in the Women’s Open category crossing the line in under two hours with a time of 1 hour 57.38.
After the race both Stimpson and Atkinson expressed the gratitude and happiness with the course and overall operations of the event as the sun shone brightly on the Kingscliff shore. Atkinson said “ it is great to be a part of an event where you get to race together, the laps on the bike make you a part of the action rather than being out on your own for the whole race”.
Event organisers QSMSports are extremely happy with the results despite a vandal, putting nails and tacks painted to blend in with the colour of the road on the turn point at the ride in a pathetic attempt to sabotage the event. This is an extremely dangerous act and police are taking it very seriously with charges expected to be laid.
Mayor Barry Longland was the official starter for the day and expressed thanks to QSMSports for bringing their sport events to the region.
Full results are available on QSMSports’ website and with the next Triathlon set for November 25, everyone is a little excited to continue to support this friendly fun event.
Junior results: 7-9 girls: first Jasmyne Coventry, Emily Rattray and Harmony Linthorne. Boys: Luke Powel, Kingscliff’s Louis Chabert, Peyton Tirro.
Big kids: Girls: Dimi Coventry, Grace Saxton, Gabrielle Stanek; Boys: Hayden Chamberlain, Eric Rattray, Bryn Winter.
