Townsville – Long Distance Triathlon World Champs. August 2024 - Matt

5 Kilo’s ago I took part in the Long-Distance World Triathlon Champs in Townsville Australia, with Club buddies, Darryl, Billy, Anthony, Tim(s) x 2 and Gareth.  Race distances were 3km swim, 114k bike and 30km run. 

Townsville is on the east coast just below Caines, population 200,000 with an average winter temp around 25 degrees.  Lots of the usual banter about, Saltwater crocs, man eating sharks, jelly fish, sea snakes, blah blah blah. 

Darryl and I were there with our wives, and we had a nice, relaxed lead-up to the race…… Until, about an hour before I was due to rack my bike, I noticed a problem with my derailleur attachment (basically loose).  I went into a mild panic and Darryl rang the NZ team mechanic, who advised there would be bike mechanics in transition when we racked and pop in and see them. 

Long story short, screw to hanger stripped and no replacement screw or hanger available.  The answer? – The humble zip tie (as always).  The derailleur was pretty secure once the wheel was on, and the axel bolt tightened so it was fingers crossed the zip tie would hold if I got a flat and had to pull the wheel off.  Racked and ready to rock.

Leading up to the race and on race morning (apart from the preoccupation with sharks and salties) all the chat was about whether it would be a wetsuit swim as the water was so warm.  Decision on the day – optional so of course nearly everyone wore one.

Game on.  I started the two-lap swim cautiously as I’ve had a few bad experiences lately with going too hard and blowing up, my second lap was faster than my first and I came out around 5th in my AG so well measured.  However, I was like a boil in the bag ready meal when I came out as it was so hot swimming in the wetsuit.

Onto the bike, which was awesome, through the CBD, onto a motorsport racetrack and out along the coast highway and back – 3 laps.  Funny experience on the bike, in that I couldn’t hit the power level I had been expecting and maintaining in training, talking to people after others had a similar experience which we put down to the heat and humidity.  I concentrated on not going too hard and staying in touch with club mate Anthony who is in my AG.  After a solid bike we came into transition together in 2nd and 3rd as advised by my wife and number 1 supporter (luckily no puncture).

Onto the run and the first 500mts were awesome  but then I really started to suffer from the heat.  We were gifted a 30 degree day on race day and I was really feeling it.  When I was running, I was running fairly well, but I ended up walking pretty much all of the aid stations just trying to get fluids in and cool down.  I pushed on and felt better eventually but was way off the run time I had been aiming for.  Awesome run course though and great support all the way.

In the end I lost 4 places on the run and came in 6th.   2nd Kiwi behind Anthony who had a stella race and came 2nd with the fastest run in our AG.  Other club mates also had good races, Darryl 4th in the Aqua-bike, Billy 2nd in the tri securing another podium, 2xTims also 5th and 6th.  The heat definitely had a significant impact on the day, but it was the same for everyone.

Post race we did a bit of touristy stuff and visited magnetic island which was just a short ferry away, for some beach time, and caught up with club mates.

When I packed my bike up and pulled out the back wheel, the derailleur just dropped off the bike onto the floor.  So lucky I didn’t get a puncture during the race – it would have been game over.

One of the best events I’ve ever taken part in. And to the best of my knowledge no one was eaten.