The Armadale Triathlon Club has had an impressive turnout for race 3 of the Spinifex Sheds Multi Sports Series.
Over 100 participants entered the triathlon at Champion Lakes on Sunday, with athletes travelling from as far away as Dowerin to compete.
It was the second highest attendance the young Armadale club has had at one of their events, with club president Alex Barron, buoyed by the growth he’s seen.
“Hopefully we’ll keep growing as the years progress,” he said.
It was also the first time the club has taken on the responsibility of water safety at an event, with multiple club volunteers with bronze medallion or greater putting up their hands to take on the role that has previously been filled by Surf Life Saving WA.
“It took a significant number of volunteers to run the event, so I want to really thank everyone for stepping up,” Alex said.
And there were some fantastic performances put on by some of the up-and-coming young athletes including those on the Triathlon WA Pathway program.
Mandurah’s Eric Aspeling finished the Draft Legal Sprint a good five minutes ahead of everyone else in the field. Eric has had a fantastic season already, after coming home with a silver medal from the State Long Course X-Tri Cross triathlon at Lake Leschenaultia in November.
Meanwhile, Armadale Triathlon Club’s Riley Kerr took the win in the 13.5km Enticer Triathlon. Teammate Riley Cunnold came in just under two minutes behind him, taking out the second place for the boys in the 12-15 age division. Riley managed to convince his step-dad, Shane Coumbe, to run alongside him, competing in his first ever triathlon.
Kendra Deane and Chris Arthur also performed well in their maiden triathlons.
Young Emma Blackstock was the first-placed girl in the 7.9km Mini Triathlon, shaving almost a minute from her 100m swim pace over the past few months.
And a founding member of the Armadale Triathlon Club (now Team XTR) Jason McNamara was streaks ahead of the competition in the Sprint Triathlon.
The next event hosted by the Armadale Triathlon Club will be their Aquathlon held at the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre/Bob Blackburn Reserve on March 16.
Photographs – Richard Polden
