Triathletes to Switzerland

EIGHT years ago, Rod Kilborn completed his first triathlon swim in boardshorts. Now, alongside fellow Ballarat man, Dale Coutts he’s ready for a slightly slicker event.

Qualifying in Yarrawonga last October, Coutts and Kilborn are heading to Lausanne, Switzerland to represent Australia in the International Triathlon Union World Championships.

Tackling the standard course, a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run, the pair will race on September 1. Coutts will compete in the 50 to 55 age group and Kilborn with the 40 to 45s.

“To finish is goal number one,” Coutts said, 12 years into his triathlon experience. “I’ve got some targets that I’ve set myself. I’ve had some injuries and hopefully they will be all ok on the day.

“My goal is to get to the start line as fit as I possibly can, ready to have a go on the day and leave nothing to spare.”

Kilborn’s own history with injuries, after a high-level hockey career, steered him towards triathlons.

“I had a knee injury, and I was told ‘no more twisting sports,’ and to take up swimming. Going for a jog around the lake, I saw a triathlon. It was random, but I said, can I enter this? They said yes,” he said.

“It was the worst triathlon to be ever held in the history of triathlons. It was three inches of rain, or something. God knows why I continued after that, but I did.”

The duo enjoy what the sport has brought to their lives.

“Unlike team sports, you can fit around your life with it,” Kilborn said. “Wherever you go travelling, you can go for a run or find a pool, and if you can’t turn up to go for a bike ride, you haven’t let anyone down.”

“The enjoyment for me is just the habit of training and being fit and healthy,” Coutts said.