On course for 27 years

BY DAVID DAWKINS

Wynne Garrick has seen plenty of changes to the Sport Marlborough Women's Triathlon over the past 27 years, but none has ever stopped her coming back.

This Sunday, Garrick will once again line up in the popular all-women's event, a position she has found herself in every year since it started in 1983.

She will be joined by Vicki Green, with the duo the last two originals to have participated in every event.

"I like it because it is achievable by your average woman of any age. I try and encourage other people to enter because I've got a lot out of it over the years," Garrick said.

Garrick still remembers when she lined up in 1983 in New Zealand's first all-women's triathlon.

"I only decided to enter two or three weeks before, so I'd done very little training. Luckily I do a lot of outdoor work so that helps with the fitness. I ended up getting a reasonable place, about 60th out of 300 or so."

Over the next 10 years, Garrick established herself as a race regular. She improved on her personal best time almost every year, placing as high as 14th in the individual competition.

However, more than placings or times, the event has become about friendships.

Training sessions with original organiser Dawn O'Connor, councillor Liz Davidson and many others were always enjoyable.

Over the years most participants have come and gone, though some familiar faces remain.

In recent years, Garrick, Green, Alison Brook and perennial oldest entrant Barbara Roughan have been flying the flag for the 1983 originals.

However, Roughan missed last year's event and this year Brook's name isn't among the starters.

This year, with the redevelopment of the aquatic centre, the event will undergo one of its biggest changes, dropping the swim leg to become a duathlon.

While many competitors won't complain about missing out on the sometimes chilling two-length dip in the outdoor pool, Garrick – who can regularly be found swimming in the Wairau River, even in the cooler months – will miss the race-ending swim.

"I hope it's only for this year; cold water doesn't worry me," she said

However, swim or no swim, the energetic 61-year-old said you could count on her returning for a few more years yet.

"I've done so many now I feel like I have to keep going in it. I'll keep going as long as I don't get any major ailments, I plan to enter it as long as I can."

Garrick will be joined by 360 other enthusiastic women for an 8.30am start at the Henry St bridge on the banks of the Taylor River.

The chase for individual honours will again be wide open.

Defending champion Megan Craig returns as part of a mother-daughter team, joining her mum, Julia Craig, in The Unsquashables – but will be eligible for the individual title too.

The duathlon has again attracted women of all ages, ranging from 13-year-old Tala Cheshire in the Two Cats Walking mother-daughter team to 72-year-old individual competitor Ngaire Kendrew.

A new-look course sees participants start with the 5.5km Heartland Hotels run/walk along the Taylor River Bank, up Burleigh Rd, Stephenson St, Scott St, and Redwood St to a new MoreFM transition area in the Marlborough Lines Stadium front car park.

An extended 14km Spokesman Avantiplus cycle turns left down Kinross St, along Scott St to Alabama Rd before heading up Redwood St. At the top of Redwood St riders turn and head back to Wither Rd which they will cycle down to Taylor Pass Rd and Forest Park Dr.

The return journey retraces riders' cycle tracks down Forest Park Dr and Taylor Pass Rd to Hospital Rd then Redwood St and the final journey back to the Stadium car park.

This year Marlborough entrants are asked to check in at the Stadium tomorrow evening between 5pm and 7pm. Visiting entrants can check in on Sunday morning between 7.15am and 7.45am.

A race briefing will be held on Sunday at 8am at the stadium.

The annual prizegiving will take place inside the stadium at 12.30pm.

The usual assortment of spot prizes will be up for grabs, as well as a variety of other awards.

There is the overall race winner, an award for the first Marlborough competitor home and first in each age group and team category.

The Cheryl-Anne Thompson Memorial Trophy will be presented to a competitor who has shown great spirit and commitment in beating the odds to participate in and finish the triathlon.

The Peak Fuel award for athletes with disabilities will also be awarded.

- The Marlborough Express