THE SOLOS
The solo athletes are the cream of the Triple-Triathlon community. Far fewer in number, their contributions to the heroic ethos and grandeur of the Triple-Tri are the richest and deepest of all. From the sidelines, we can only offer our awed admiration, respect and gratitude for their fathomless sacrifice, mountainous dedication and glowing inspiration.
The only solo finisher to have completed the race previously, Aston Duncan won the Male 50 and Over in 12:36:35, one of the fastest ever finish times in this category. Aston’s victory was all the sweeter and more complete, scaling the Triple-Tri peak afresh after an extremely challenging race experience in 2023 saw his withdrawal on that occasion. Not only did he return, he came back wiser, stronger and faster than ever. Bravo Aston!
The other 3 finishers were all first-time solo entrants; each a unique journey, each a unique personal triumph. Glen Sturesteps executed a perfect race, especially for a first-timer, a clear focus radiating calm and control through each leg of the journey. His outright win in 11:50:03 is one of the best first-time finishing times, and a tremendous reward for many months of preparation, discipline and daring to dream.
Kevin Archbold’s finish of 13:57:32 was a massive effort of guts, courage and willpower, fuelling a tremendous innate athletic capacity. The jubilation of his supporters at the finish line was palpable, matching his sheer relief at the completion of his personal Odyssey.
Karl Hulin was steadfastly cheerful, a steady-burning fuse powering his way through the lakes, up and over the hills and along the straightaways to a finish line of glory and immense satisfaction, in 14:28:14. Each solo athlete was naturally immensely grateful to their helpers and family, without whose support and encouragement, none could ever dream of completing such a monumental task.
TEAMS OF 3
“Stuffed Puffs” are indisputably the best-performed team in Triple-Tri history. Though the team’s membership has undergone a few modifications along with its name, in one form or another, this truly elite clique has never failed to make the podium, and numerous times has taken the top spot outright. And so it proved today, the trio of Ben Buchler, Adrian Sheppard and Dave Osmond claiming not only 1st T3 Open, but also 1st team outright once more with their exceptional outing of 9:38:36. Kudos!
The next 5 teams across the line were all from the more populous T4-9s, then followed 2nd placed T3 Open, “Dobbys Delinquents” (Murray Robertson, Thomas Brazier and Alex Birch) in 10:29:41, with “This Escalated Quickly” (Chris Moore, Andrew Noordhoff and Peter Hepworth) following not far behind in 10:40:14.
“Tri-ceratops” (Patrick Kluth, Steve Fitchett and Ben Crabb) exuded class in easily winning the T3 Open (All over 50) division in 11:07:01, for 15th team outright.
The T3 All-Female division was won by the redoubtable “Force de Femme” (Kate Celese, Sue Moore and Meghan Kenny) in 15:09:45, proving the age-old adage, that “you’ve got to be in it, to win it!”
The ensemble of Veronique Wong Kai, Raymond McAleer and Samuel McNamara, “Well Tri” proved best in the T3 Mixed, winning in 11:28:10 from “Couples Therapy” (Caitlin Chandler and husband Nicholas Gailer swapping legs throughout the day) in 12:04:24, and 3rd placed “Keep it in the family plus 1” (Aimee McLaren, Malachi Ayton and Damien Carter) with 14:22:47. Meanwhile, Triple-Tri stalwarts “Tri IP” (Ross Hamilton, Leanne Haupt and Graham Atkins) took out the T3 Mixed (All Over 50) division in 12:06:01.
TEAMS OF 4-9
This year saw a substantial increase in participation in the Teams of 4-9 – accounting for 57 of the 74 teams involved – which translated into considerably more excitement around the transition areas as the day’s many sagas unfolded in parallel.
The most competitive T9 Open category saw the lead changing several times between the top 3 teams, with “Not All Who Wander are Lost” (Craig Benson, Trent Cooper, Matthew Van Arkel, Lauren Stumpf, Mackenzie Edwardson, Daniel Carson and Jac Pascoe) ultimately prevailing with an impressive 9:43:44, seeing off the many threats of “Triple Threat” (Martin Jewell, James Charlesworth, Ben Seaman, Steven Boyt, Jared Greenville, Alexander Skeffington, Gerard Walsh and Isaac Hogan) who followed a few minutes later in 9:51:50. The other team which held the lead after the 2nd bike leg, Goulburn’s pride “Giant 440 Woodys 4Pete” (Rod Smith, Andy Cartwright, Jaemin Frazer, Andy Dawes, Andrew Oberg, Keeto Muscat, Lori and Rod McWhirter and Stefan Hese) crossed in 3rd with a splendid 10:12:40.
Another Goulburn ensemble, “Buzz Lightyears Over 50s” (Ted Goad, Kerry Baxter, Bretto Storrier, Mark Stutchbury, David Medlock, Rodney Smith, Andrew Dawes and Mel Goad) prevailed in the T9 Open (All Over 50) with 11:15:39; while the T9 (All Over 60) was won by the impressive “Last Men Standing 2024” (Alex Gosman, Peter Igoe-Taylor, Trevor Jacobs, Peter Clarke and Kim Houghton) – who were far from the last men standing – in 13:21:57.
The youthful “4 Tay Tay” (Eliza Lawton, Amelie Burrell, Sanda Halpin, Mia Kluth and Monique Jeacocke) were the fastest among the T9 All Female teams, winning in a slick 10:48:51. Next home was “The Courageous Crew Take 2” (Rebecca Lannin, Katherine Hosking, Lisa Krakowiak, Rosie Hurt, Kate Pennington and Bridie Harders) – whose time was tremendously aided by a super new course record by Katherine Hosking for the 1st mountain bike leg of 1:44:06, a benchmark which had stood for 22 years!
“Spring Chickens” (Susie Kluth, Cristy Henderson, Kaori Ikeda, Cheryl Hutchens and Lucy Hannah), completed the podium placings with 12:03:59, despite having to reconfigure their team on the day, with the enforced absence of a crucial member.
In the T9 Mixed, “Results Racing” (Fredericke Stock, Matthew Shadwell, Doug Rutherford, Michelle Welch, Stephen Alegria, John and Anna McPherson, Robert Joford and David Liddle) finished ahead of the pack and 4th outright, the final team in the rarefied atmosphere of sub-10 hours, with 9:58:05. Next was “Not All Who Wander Are Lost 2” (Marcus Laudenbach, Brendan Hancox, Thien Vuong, Carolyn Mclaren, Calvin Coombs, Jono Windsor, Amber Collins and Lili Mooney) with 10:14:28; while another reconfigured ensemble, “Pent-Up Energy” (Perry Blackmore, Richard Smyth, Fan Xiang, Emily Stacey and Glenn Paterson) claimed the 3rd spot with 10:45:35.
This event cannot happen without the immense self-giving of innumerable volunteers across Canberra, from pre-dawn to post-dark. Our boundless gratitude to each and every helper, supporter, server, volunteer, official, spectator and well-wisher – without you, we wouldn’t be here.
Until next year, friends!
