The first race of the 2XU Triathlon Series kicked off yesterday at Elwood, and as history would have it, race day was far from ideal! After two scorching days leading up to the event, who could have predicted such a relentless downpour? But this is triathlon - a sport full of surprises, where being prepared for all conditions is key. Days like that are exactly why we train rain, hail, or shine, ensuring you’re ready to tackle whatever race day throws at you.

Despite the less-than-perfect weather, it was fantastic to see so many of our athletes out there racing, proving once again the grit and determination that defines our squad.  Here's a breakdown of the highlights (You can access the full race results using the link below):

Sprint Race Highlights

The Sprint Race (500m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) brought together some of the most competitive athletes, and our Tri-Alliance squad put on a stellar display of endurance and skill.

Top Finishers:
Leading the charge for the squad was Oliver Heycoop, crossing the finish line in an impressive 59:12, securing 3rd place in a very fast 25-29 AG. Following closely were Anto English and Ant Cuzzupe, finishing in 1:01:07 and 1:03:40, respectively, rounding out a strong male showing for the team.
A notable performance on the women’s side came from Juliet Forsyth, clocking in at 1:09:38, demonstrating exceptional strength in her category and finishing in 2nd place.

Discipline Leaders:

• • Swim: The fastest swim split of the day came from Ant Cuzzupe, who completed the 500m in a blazing 6:33.
  • Bike: Oliver Heycoop dominated the bike leg, with a blistering time of 29:46, setting him up for his overall success.
  • Run: The fastest run split went to Oliver Heycoop as well, powering through the 5km in 17:35, showcasing his balanced prowess across all disciplines.

The Sprint Race highlighted the squad's depth, with athletes securing strong finishes in various age categories. A special mention goes to our top 10 finishers in their age group:
2nd place - Juliet Forsyth
3rd place - Oliver Heycoop, Anto English, Michael Grey, Andrea Crompton (MCO20)
4th place - Doug Ashman, Narelle Hayes (Athena)
5th place - Tanya Jenkinson (Athena)
6th place - Anna Cowper (Open), Sonia Greguol (Athena)
7th place - Simone McQuillan
9th place - Ross Higgins
 

Fun Tri Highlights

The Fun Tri (150m swim, 7km bike, 1.2km run) offered a shorter, fast-paced challenge, perfect for new triathletes and those sharpening their speed skills.

Top Finishers:
Melissa Tan claimed the fastest time for Tri-Alliance, finishing in 39:48, with an impressive performance across all legs. Annie Elgin-Bourchier followed closely, with a time of 41:15. Both athletes demonstrated exceptional transitions, which proved critical in this fast race format.

Race 1 of the 2XU Series set a high bar for the season ahead. 

Here’s to more fast times, personal victories, and incredible team spirit at Race #2!

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who pitched in to make the weekend a success, especially those who braved the elements to support the squad and keep everything running smoothly. Your efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and they made a world of difference.

• Tent Set-Up Crew: Your efforts on Saturday were invaluable—many hands really do make light work, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Let’s aim for even more hands at the next race to lighten the load for everyone!
• TriKids Helpers: Maggie, Narelle, Mario, and Tanya—you were absolute legends keeping the kids’ event running smoothly in that wild weather.
• TriShop Retail Assistants: A big shout-out to Jen, Tanya, Andy, and Cuzzy for handling all things retail with smiles, even in the rain.
• Tent Pack-Down Crew: Doug, Jen, Cuzzy, Andy, Les, Anthony, Sonia, Narelle, Rob, and Mario—thank you for staying back to pack down the tent and ensure everything was wrapped up.

While we’re incredibly grateful to those who stepped up, it’s important to remember that these events are a team effort. The tent, the shade, the gear storage, and all the extras are there because of the squad’s collective contributions. Without more hands-on help, it becomes difficult to provide these extras that make race day so special.

If you’re racing or spectating at the next event, we’d love to see more of you get involved. A little help from everyone goes a long way in making the day a success for the whole squad. Thank you for being part of what makes this community so great!

This weekend, athletes from our squad will be lining up at Ironman Western Australia in Busselton, taking on either the full Ironman or 70.3 distance. Known for its stunning backdrop and flat, fast course, Busselton offers the perfect combination of beauty and challenge. Getting to the start line of a race like this takes months of dedication, sacrifice, and a willingness to push through tough days - a true testament to each athlete's commitment to their goals.

As Head Coach Ollie always says, triathlon is about passing the "Mirror Test." It’s about looking at yourself and knowing you’ve done everything possible to be ready, no matter the obstacles. We commend every athlete for their hard work, and we’ll be cheering you on as you tackle this next big challenge. Remember, finishing what you’ve started is already a victory.

A special mention goes to Super Mario, who will be acting as a guide for Monty in Monty’s first-ever full Ironman. It’s a beautiful display of camaraderie and unity as Mario, fresh off his incredible finish at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, takes on this role. Together, they embody the spirit of teamwork and resilience that makes triathlon such a unique sport.

Here’s our squad racing this weekend, along with their bib numbers for tracking:
IRONMAN

Ian Carter

James Margenberg 4926

Janine O’Grady

Jen Schuster

Juliet Cooper 4511

Lior Moyal

Liza Kierans

Mario Staffieri 4003 (guide)

Martha Hudson 5158

Michelle Carter

Monty Cooper 4002

Rob Weston

Srikanth Iyer 5078

Stephen Tilders 4035

70.3

Chamara Rajapakse

Emma Brown

Erin Jay

Genevieve Moseley

Georgia Mackay 231

James Robertson

Jen Ashman 1165

Sarah Maniapoto 427

Shridhar Iyer & Andy Wood-Rich (swim) 2001

Best of luck to everyone racing - you’ve already done the hard work, now it’s time to shine. Go get it, team!

With Race #1 of the 2XU Triathlon Series behind us, it’s time to refocus and carry that energy into Race #2 in a fortnight's time. Whether you crushed your goals at Elwood or found areas to improve, now is the time to build on that experience. Remember, the key to progress is consistency, and every session between now and race day is an opportunity to strengthen your mind and body.

Race #2 is another chance to push your limits, refine your strategies, and show the progress you’ve made. As the season heats up, stay committed, stay hungry, and keep showing up. The hard work you put in today will pay off when you cross the finish line with pride next time.

Your coaches are here to guide you every step of the way, so let’s get after it! Keep training hard, and we’ll see you back on the course for Race #2.

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Tel:  +613 9555 5800
Email:  [email protected]