Hi

I am competing in my first Maitland Triathlon on Sunday 11th October. I was wondering if anyone can give me a heads up on what the course is like. I am a bit concerned about how fast the current is in the river and if it is a hilly bike/run leg. Also wondering if any CR would be attending.

There is usually something of a current in the swim, depending on what the tide is doing, so it is usually a bit slower either on the way out or the way back, but it is not too noticeable. The swim won't be too cold, but if you have a wetsuit, be sure to take it along.

The bike consists of a fairly flat out-and-back ride plus another 3km out-and-back stretch on a side road. The side road is undulating but has no major climbs.

The run is flat.

Place-getters in all age categories receive a bottle of Hunter Valley's finest, so be sure to stay for the presentations. There are plenty of barrel prizes as well.

It is excellent event to kick off your triathlon season.

I did the long version of this race last year and enjoyed it a lot. The high winds during the bike leg made it a bit of a trial as the roads are very exposed there along the river flats.

I had absolutely no problem with the swim (except it is fresh(ish) water - blah!).

Run is, as PE says, very flat but DO NOT forget the Aerogard as it passes close by quite a few dairies and the presence of so much cow poo can be a bit - challenging.

Also, look out for the suicidal dive-bombing magpie on the back of the bike course.

I can't do the race this year as I have a school reunionthat weekend.

Good luck.

PS Paul - mammoth-spanking season???

Thanks guys for the reply. Looking forward to the event.

Mrs Ewoksta has entered the 8k fun run. I will wait until after Sunday to see how I feel before entering the smaller of the Tri's.

Cheers
Andrew

Yep a great, well run event. I did the shorter Tri last year and debating whether to do the longer Tri this year. All depends on the training and Mrs Fiftyplus is also thinking of doing one of the runs.
Have already booked the accomodation for the weekend, just need to enter a race.

Thought I would give this one a bump.

Paid and entered for my second Triathlon. Starting to get a little nervous and doubtful about the swim. I reckon 30k on the bike will be OK and an 8k run but having only swum laps in the pool recently I am a bit dubious about the 1k swim. Just hope that the water is not to cold as I don't have a wetsuit

Wife is doing the 8k fun run.

See some of you on Sunday

Cheers
Andrew

The bike leg is very "dead" with slowish rough roads (was great training road for Ironman when it use to be at Forster!)

So make sure you don't over-gear and burn your legs out for the run, down-gear and spin a little more than you usually would on smooth roads.

Have fun! The Pugs and I might come out to cheer you on.

Good luck to all competing, especially Wedged on your debut!

Might even make it towards the end to cheer the CR's home.

Look forward to reading the race results.

kazz.

Wow what a great event. Really well organised and friendly volunteers. I will be back next year.

Cmon Wedged we want a race report mate

Yeah Wedged! How'd you go?

Well i survived! Hows that. You won't get any StellBella length report out of me.

But I was happy with my time around 3:25 and my swim was strong. Plus it was sooo much fun!

Far out Wedgy, call that a race report? C'mon, some gory details please...

Gory eh Beki? Hmm i was scared shitless before the swim but I surprised myeslf a bit. Although I did cramp up in the calves during it which was a bit scary. Other than that not much to report.

Thats an awesome time mate well done you rock my world!!!!!

Tell me did the collection of billy Ray Cyrus on th ipod make you run faster or stop and do some dancing?

Mate he did, he got me home. But the God of country doesnt have a COLLECTION of songs, he only has THE song.

Well done Wedged. Glad you had fun today.

Great effort Wedged! Knew you'd do well!

Watch out Port Macq and the HIM!!

kazz.

Posted my race report on my blog. Did the club distance (1k, 30k, 8k)

Good day, not sure of times as there wasn't a clock at the finish line, but had fun and will be back again next year.

Cheers
Andrew

P.S. Not sure who they were but thanks for the GCR's I got on the run leg.

Thought it would be you Ewok but wasnt sure. I yelled the GCR on the bike as well. Well done on the finish u were looking good when i saw you.

Hi all,
had a great day up at Morpeth, got a 2nd in my age group (55-59yo) in the Club distance, so pretty happy with that. All the fast guys must have stayed away this year

How weird was the swim with the fog?

And here is a clip from the race

http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2008/10/...land-triathlon/

Hey guys,

I thought this was a great event, disclaimer alert though, this was only my third tri and I don't have a lot of reference. That said it seemed very well organised, the vollies were fantastic and it was a gorgeous place to race.

The fog made the start a little disconcerting; however I was more concerned about the murky river water. The only time I was raising my head was to make sure the person I was drafting was still ahead of me. (They were and thank you to that nameless pony that dragged my carcass up and down the river)

I managed to exit the swim in about 3rd in my age group feeling pretty pleased with myself however my delusions of grandeur were soon lifted like the hunter fog as I watched some fast rollers disappear into the distance.

Though T2 my wife was waiting with the camera, so a burst of speed and a grin for posterity and then once out of sight, returned to my most efficient waddle speed. The run takes you past some of Morpeth’s lovely old buildings then winds down a small country road to the turn around point. I almost felt sorry for the fleet footed people passing me who wouldn't have as much time to appreciate the scenery as I did...almost.

So a fun race in a lovely setting and a great little town to wander around in after.

Hope to see you there next year.

Hi Serenetynow, The results are up for all those interested.

Thanks FP I have been poreing over them trying to glean some info I might use for Noosa.

The only thing I have found out is that I should have done a little more (read some) focusing on the bike, as such I can expect to see a lot of bottoms getting smaller ahead of me

So if any of you are on the bike at Noosa and see a large bottom, getting rapidly larger as you bear down on it. Give it a whack and ask 'hows the serenity?'