The Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport Classic is a special race in a special place. Few events offer such an array of scenery, terrain and degrees of difficulty across 4 disciplines in one absorbing day, with options to participate solo, in teams of 2 - 4, or up to 12 members.

The 2008 edition of the race saw a new association with the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre, which proved an ideal event base for organisers and participants alike, hosting the registration for athletes on Saturday afternoon, as well as a pasta feast and accommodation. As the race settles into its 4th year, the people of Jindabyne are offering support and assistance in many ways so the event now really feels 'at home' in this unique community.

Les Threlfo and the Snowy River SES worked a long, long day patrolling all the swim and paddle courses; Bob and June Westwood opened their property for the passage of the 2nd MTB course; the NPWS provided a boat and boatman for the ferry service from Creel Bay and opened their Education Centre at Sawpit Creek for the 2nd bike/3rd MTB transition; the Kosciuszko Scout group loaned their kayaks for the swim patrols and of course Craig Stonestreet designed, built, refined and maintained the famous 1st mountain bike course. Further assistance behind the scenes came from the staff of Kosciuszko National Park, Snowy River Shire Council, Snowy Hydro, Queanbeyan Police, NSW RTA, NSW Maritime and Triathlon NSW.

We are most grateful to the TriNSW Technical Delegate, John Singleton who drove from Sydney on Friday and helped all day Saturday with course set-up and continued to assist with pack-up on Monday morning! Also, the race could not happen without the services of the Sri Chinmoy Races team volunteers who travelled from Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and even Adelaide for the event.

Full results are published, along with a photo album from various points on the course.

Share Your Experiences!

Steve Hanley usually races in a team but this year he went for the solo challenge! Read Steve's account of his day here. We'd love to hear from more of you. Please send your accounts (preferably with photos) to [email protected] and we will be delighted to publish your story on the event website.

Course Records

Despite the longer course and hot temperatures, the relatively still conditions and more athletes knowing the course saw many records tumbling, including the solo male and female overall course records (for the longer course) to Matt Acheson (far left, 10:23:01) and Julie Quinn (left, 11:17:00). Julie also set new times for the 1st run, 1st bike (new, longer course), 3rd bike, 3rd swim and 3rd run courses. Matt's time on the new 1st bike course becomes a benchmark, while he also set a new time for the 3rd paddle.

Among the teams, "J & J" (Jeremy Ross and Jason Chalker) in the Open T4; "Dark Horse" (Colby Rook, Chris Darlington, Ben Darlington, Craig Stonestreet, Ben Sim and Laura Medley) in the Open T12; "Local Lasses" (Michelle Macfarlane, Ros Easton, Catherine Fairfield-Smith, Vanessa Nee, Tara Burton, Monique Baillie, Emma Frost and Sarah Love) in the All-Female T12; and "Cruising Studs" (Alan Stewart, Therese Powell, Craig Buckland, Nick Hauser and Faye Buckland) in the Mixed T12 all set new course times.

New leg times were set by Matt Flower in the 1st and 3rd paddles; Ben Sim in the 1st run; Jason Chalker and Vanessa Nee on the new 1st bike course; Dan Smith and Emma Peters on the 2nd paddle; Steve Fitchett and Libby Adamson on the 3rd bike; and Colby Rook in the 3rd swim.

This event still has the potential to grow. If you enjoyed the race please urge your friends and colleagues to come next year. Of course if you have any complaints or constructive suggestions we'd love to hear those as well.

The next Sri Chinmoy Multi-Sport race will be held at Yerrabi/Mulligans Flat (Canberra) on Sunday 4 May. We hope to see you there!