Dynasty cemented at Barwon Heads Triathlon

ADAM Conquest made it three wins in a row, claiming his fourth overall Barwon Heads Triathlon title this past Sunday.

In perfect conditions, Torquay resident Conquest (41:57) held on in a hotly contested field to win by three seconds in front of young gun Mitchell Couper (42:00). Georg Fellner (42:28) took out third place on the podium.

“I’m ecstatic to have taken out the win,” Conquest said.

“I’m not getting any younger at 48-years-old, so resting the taper at events are few and far between.

“But in terms of a big local event, to be able to win in your home neighbourhood is a pretty special thing as is putting your name on the honour board.”

In the women’s event, Penny Nevill blitzed the field to win her second title in a time of 47:01, second place overall went to Johanna Clark (48:15), with Peri Payne taking out third (50:00).

Event director, Lincoln Beckworth, said he was rapt with how the event went.

“Once again we’ve had an amazing event down here in Barwon Heads,” he said.

“We had over 800 individual competitors and around 100 people competing in the team’s category.”

This year’s event was the biggest competitor numbers in the seven-year history of the event.

The triathlon, which includes a 400-metre swim in the Barwon Heads River, a 14-kilometre cycle along 13th Beach Road and a four-kilometre run along the trail path to Ocean Grove, had more than 420 people competing in their first triathlon ever.

“One of the best things about our event is the excitement from all of the ‘first timers’,” Beckworth said.

“So many smiling faces and people trying their best. It’s the perfect distance for people to give it a go and have some fun.”

The Ocean Grove VIEW Club provided volunteers on the day to raise money for the Smith Family.

“It’s great to have the VIEW club members helping out each year along the course, they enjoy the experience of the event whilst raising money for the club,” Beckworth said.

He also thanked the event’s major sponsor, 13th Beach Health Services, and all of the other local supporters and sponsors of the event.

“Their support is key to the event running each year,” Beckworth concluded.

“We’re already looking forward to next year.”