Winners take the long way

Jon Linyard and Carol Cooper were the winners of the long option of the Nelson Triathlon and Multisport Club's final spring duathlon at Rabbit Island yesterday, but both had to come from behind in the final run section.

Linyard had a handy lead of more than a minute and a half after the opening five-kilometre run through the forest, but Paul McNabb was on fire through the 12km mountainbike section, blitzing the undulating sections and flying through the many big puddled areas to enter the Conifer Park clearing with a lead of just over 10 seconds.

Linyard's triathlon background meant he handled the bike-run transition with ease, looking more comfortable going into the 2.5km final run and crossing the finish line half a minute clear.

Chris James was determined throughout, shaking off his early shadows Craig Hellyer and Charlie Squance to take third place.

Cooper also gave herself a lead of more than a minute in the opening run, but Leigh-Ann Champion was strong on the bike and took a narrow lead through to the final section.

Once again, the stronger took the honours, with Cooper first to the line. Carolyn Squance was third.

Teenager Thomas Anderson won the September race from 50+ competitor Steve Pauling, and nothing changed yesterday except that the win was even more convincing. Anderson was consistent in all three stages, drawing steadily ahead to win by more than four minutes.

Rachel Thomas and Renee Hunt had a ding-dong battle in the women's section, with Hunt leading after the first section. Thomas took over on the bike course and held off Hunt's fast finish to take the win by just one second.

Ross Mitchell was too strong in the walk section, winning comfortably from Barb Gibbs, the Mills-Neill team and Mary Coghlan.

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