Taranaki triathletes grab bronze

Taranaki competitors bagged four bronze medals at the New Zealand triathlon championships in Wellington on Saturday.

The four were Shannon Stallard, Aaron Wood, Darrin Grey and Shorty Clark.

The age-group championships doubled as a selection race to compete at the world triathlon champs in Budapest, Hungary, in September.

Stallard was third in a field of 26 in the men's 30-34 years division in a time of two hours, six minutes, 56 seconds.

Wood was third in the men's 35-39 years division in a time of 2h11min18sec.

Grey grabbed bronze in the 45-49 years division in a time of 2hr6min27sec in a field of 31, and Shorty Clark was third in the 55-59 years division in 2hr22min41sec in a field of 14.

Grey's time was impressive in the miserable, cold and windy conditions.

The athletes now have a three-week wait to see if they have gained selection in the team for Budapest.

Later in the day, Inglewood's Edward Rawles and New Plymouth's Ryan Dingle competed in the Oceania men's under-19 sprint distance race. Rawles finished ninth of 40, and fifth Kiwi home, with a time of 1hr3min18sec. Dingle finished in 1hr14min30sec.

Other Taranaki results were: Women: Emily Rawles, 20-24 age group, 2h24m06s and 7th/15; Sandra Sharp, 40-44 age group, 2h46m58s, 8th/10; Joy Baker, 55-59 age group, 2h50m28s, 4th/6.

Men: Matt Harrop, 20-24 age group, 2h07m24s, 5th/13; John Eagles, 60-64 age group, 2h45m41s, 8th/9.

- © Fairfax NZ News