THERE were cartwheels and skipping from relieved competitors as they headed to the finishing line; flat tyres, broken bikes and helmets, even junior rugby dads giving massages and that was just the tip of what was another great Hell of the West.
The weather proved once again to be the competitor’s main adversary and although the temperature gauge was only 26degrees mid morning, the humidity was crippling.
By the time the last competitor bravely crossed the line 7hours and 48 minutes after he started, the gauge had tipped over to a balmy 31.
The 2km swim, which began at the crack of dawn, was held at the Botanical Gardens due to the dangers and difficulties swimmers may have encountered in the fast-flowing flood waters of the Macintyre River.
It had been a difficult week for the organizing committee when the need to change venue became apparent.
The 2km swim was followed by a 3k sprint back to the town park, the 80km cycle ride and then a 17k run.
The winner, Ollie Whistler of Lord Howe Island completed the tri in a speedy 3 hours 41 minutes and 51 seconds (3.41.51) followed very closely, in fact 17seconds closer, by Tim Berkel of Lennox Heads.
Sarah Crowley of Brisbane was the fastest of the female entrants completing the event in 4.01.15.
Once again the huge numbers of volunteers who run the event were a credit to the community and a continuing wonder to the professional and amateur competitors as the majority of similar events are corporate exercises managed and run by paid employees.
President of the Psychos Tri Club, East Coast thanked the committee for a job well done and said “it is the best organized run” that his club competes in.
The Psychos won the award for the club with the greatest number of members competing, with a total of 37 of their athletes making their way to Goondiwindi for the weekend.
President of the Hell of the West organizing committee Rhiannon MacKenzie thanked the huge number of volunteers and particularly the SES who make the day run so smoothly.
“I’d also like to thank the athletes who make the volunteers feel appreciated.
“We have over 250 volunteers who come willingly (some are coaxed) each year so it’s a great effort,” Rhiannon said.
Tri athlete, Tony Sauermann of Brisbane commented on the Hell of the West web site “Great event, thoroughly enjoyed it. Great organisation, unbelievable community spirit - so cannot wait for next year (this was my first year). I will book accommodation as soon as you announce the date for next year. Well done!”
And so say all of us.
Best of the locals
Best local effort in the Men’s Team event was The Goodies, Beven Goodes, Trent Raymond and Tim Richards who came in fourth with a time of 4.34.28. The winners of the event, Reddog A came in at 3.39.32.
The Brigalow Livewires, Angus Wilson, Phil O’Shea and Randal Martyn were the best local effort for the Team Masters finishing in ninth place with a very respectable time of 5.12.55.
The best local Female Team, Deardio’s Angels, was a family effort with sisters Nikko Siddens swimming, Marn Wood cycling and mum, Di Thompson bringing up the rear. They came in 11th with a time of 5.22.54.
The Busted Old Breakaways, Jodi McClymont, Tom Dowling and Craig Bailey acquitted themselves well in the Mixed Team event coming in 4th with an excellent time of 4.18.15.
And hats off to the two local lads who competed in the individual event. Christopher Smith came in third in the Clydesdale category with a time of 5.55.23 and Bruce Woods finished in 5.49.55.
For all results log onto hellofthewest.com/details/results
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