firstoffthebike.com - Races

Goondiwindi - The Hell of the West

Around 600 athletes took to the Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens lagoon as the sun rose on the 2012 John Deere Chesterfield Australia Woods Grain Hell of the West triathlon.

Text - Pippa Bagshaw

Above average rainfall across the region caused organisers to move the swim from the traditional Macintyre River to the local Botanic Gardens lagoon, but this failed to faze competitors, with the race for top position toughly contested throughout the race.

A record number of professional triathletes led the field in the gruelling 2km swim, 80 km cycle and 20km run, with the Gold Coast’s Ollie Whistler and Lennox Head’s Tim Berkel leading the way early on in the race.

2011 overall winner, Richard Thompson of Mooloolaba, came out of the water early in the piece but was forced to pull out of the race early in the cycle leg with a flat tyre.

Other cyclists were luckier, with headwinds almost non-existant, making for an easier ride than in previous years.

Whistler held his lead and took the title in the end in a time of 3.40.51, with Tim Berkel second place in 3.41.11 and Luke Harrison, also of Lennox Head, the third person over the line.

Brisbane girls Kym Jaenke and Sarah Crowley came off the bike soon after one another, but it was Crowley who took the lead, and held it to win the overall female division in a time of 4.01.16. Jaenke came in behind her at 4.03.11 with Rachael Paxton, another Lennox Head competitor, in third place.

Athletes made the most of the aide stations on the run leg as the 32 degree day became more humid as it progressed. The well-stocked aide stations, which are manned by volunteers, kept the athletes hydrated.

Goondiwindi Triathlon Club president Rhiannon Mackenzie said that keeping athletes hydrated and safe was a major priority for the club.

“We were lucky that it wasn’t too hot again this year, “ Rhiannon said. “But even if were, we would be ready for it.”

The Hell of the West is proudly supported by Queensland Events.

The Goondiwindi Triathlon Club would like to thank the sponsors, athletes, volunteers and supporters in helping to make the 2012 event a success once again.