Bodies pushed to the limit in mega Hawks Nest Triathlon Festival Myall Coast Sport Property/Sports/Opinion - popup ad Sport by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 28, 2023 Optimistic racers line up for the staggered start, each wearing an ankle tag to clock their time on the panels around the course. STEELY grey skies matched the steely determination of over 700 triathletes starting their epic exertions in the Hawks Nest Triathlon upon Bennetts Beach on the morning of Saturday, 25 November. There were four races, distinguished by distance, including the ‘Super Sprint’/’Try-a-Tri’ (the latter for newbies), the hardcore ‘Classic’, with its 60km cycle lapping Mungo Brush, the ‘Standard/Aquabike’, and the ever-popular ‘Sprint Triathlon’. Swimmers battled the waves heading out, then hopefully caught an assist from the southerly current on their way back to the shore and transitioned to the kings’ ransom of precision-tuned bicycles racked in Providence Bay Park. An army of local volunteers manned critical points along the road track for the cycle and run legs, and aid stations to re-fuel runners in what became a rapid-fire handout during the runs. Activewear was everywhere, the velo-dramatic cyclists capitalised on their aerodynamics while volunteers and spectators appreciated the aesthetics, and all shapes and sizes could be seen contending the course, from leopard-print budgie smugglers to full-body professional outfits. “We saw a lot of first-timers,” Christie McIlvride, Manager of Elite Energy, the triathlon’s operator, told NOTA. “Barrington Coast is a big sponsor, of our 725 registered racers, about 55 percent were male, and 89 percent came from outside the area.” Ranging in age from twelve to 77, racers came from all across NSW, with some even travelling from Queensland and Victoria to compete. “One inspiring young mother was competing for the first time after overcoming serious surgery, and a 70th birthday-gentleman had gifted himself a triathlon debut,” Ms McIlvride said. “Another gentleman flew up from Melbourne, secretly arranging with us to surprise his daughter, whom we summoned ‘to see an official’, and witnessed their happy reunion.” Kookaburras heralded the final long running legs along Jimmys Beach, where Pindimar Bundabah Community Association volunteers handed out water, energy drinks and gels, cola and lollies for hours, made sweeter by the donation of $100 per volunteer that Elite Energy will be making to their affiliated community groups in gratitude for their assistance. By Thomas O’KEEFE A great way to start any day, especially a triathlon, with 20 degree waters. Tuloa Avenue was shut for 10km up Mungo Brush Road, morphing into a colossal velodrome. Pindimar Bundabah Community Association volunteers at the Jimmys Beach aid station, their anticipation palpable while they awaited the first runners. Triathletes were on their last legs as they rounded on the final leg of the race along Winda Woppa. The final finisher received the glory of the crowd at the line.
