Promising start for multisporter

DEREK FLYNN/The Marlborough Express

BREAKOUT: Tore Waechter makes a fast start to last Sunday's long-duathlon race in the Blenheim Physiotherapy-Cycle World summer series in Blenheim.

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Brett Oliver marked his first start in the Blenheim Physiotherapy-Cycle World summer triathlon and duathlon summer series with an impressive win last Sunday.

In the final race of the series, Oliver crossed the line in the long duathlon over a 2.5-kilometre run, 20km cycle, 5km run in 1hr 12min 32sec. Marlborough Boys' College student Tore Waechter finished runner-up in 1:15.24, with third place going to veteran Dennis Church in 1:15.33. Church used the race as a buildup to this week's Buller marathon.

Oliver was pleased with his win. "My plan is to compete in the Coast to Coast next year, so I stopped smoking and started doing some running and cycling," he said.

Sharon Kent was first woman home in 1:23.16.

The medium duathlon, contested over a 1km run, 4km cycle, 2km run, went to Leatham Landon-Lane in 23.26, with his brother Piers second in 27.27. Laura de Castro was the women's winner in 31.36.

Bjoern Waechter and Jack Topliss battled for line honours in the medium triathlon over a 100-metre swim, 4km cycle, 2km run course. Waechter won in 23.38, with Topliss clocking 26.35.

Almuth Waechter won the long triathlon over a 750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run course in 1:15.18. Marg McKendry was second in 1:21.24, and Coast to Coast competitor and former rowing champion Mary Lister was third in 1.23.55.

Martyn Crossley won the men's title with a personal best of 1:18.05, with Luke Topliss runner-up in 1:26.43.

- The Marlborough Express