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Whitsunday Triathlon Club finished the year on a high with two members competing at the IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo event in New Zealand recently.
Dan McDonnell made his Professional debut at the 70.3 distance racing in a hot pro field of 19 and had a super race finishing in 12th place in 3 hours 57 minutes.
He recovered from an early setback losing his goggles in the swim leg to blitz the 90km bike averaging 42 km pace and pushing 300 watts.
Dan capped off the strong ride by storming home in the run leg completing the 21.1km in 1 hour 16 minutes and was elated with his final race for 2023.
Veteran Ironman 70.3 competitor Debra Childs finished her seventh long distance event in a respectable 7 hours and was happy to race in front of family and friends in New Zealand.
While most members recovered and recharged their batteries over the Christmas/New Year period there will be no putting the feet up for Mark McConkey who is stepping up to compete in his first full Ironman triathlon at the New Zealand Ironman on March 2 next year.
Mark finished the Melbourne Ironman 70.3 in November along with partner Karen Maddock and he has now set his sights on the ultimate challenge, a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2 km marathon run in New Zealand.
Whitsunday Triathlon Club President Mick Kimpton said the club was busy planning for their major annual event, the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival on July 26 and 27 next year.
“Our Coral Sea Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon has established itself as a triathlon like no other in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef and the 2024 event will be bigger and better than ever with an elite field of female and male professionals already nominated,” he said.
“With an amazing course on the shores of the Coral Sea and views of the Whitsunday islands this weekend in the tropical live music capital of Queensland has turned into an event not to be missed.
“Bring the whole family for some winter fun in the sun and enjoy racing with a top pro field and a weekend of events including Kids Triathlon, Ocean swims and the best after party ever,” Mr Kimpton said.
Contributed with thanks to Michael Kimpton.
Photos supplied
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