Triathletes qualify for IRONMAN World Championship

TORQUAY triathlete Nathan Taylor has again qualified for this year’s IRONMAN World Championship after winning his age group at a race in Port Macquarie earlier this month.

Taylor, part of the Beckworth Racing Team, finished first in the 45-49 age group in the IRONMAN Australia event with a time of 9 hours, 18 minutes and 55 seconds.

The result, which also beat his personal best time by 25 minutes, placed Taylor 17th in the male rankings and 18th in the overall rankings.

The win means he will head to Hawaii in October to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship for the third year in a row.

Several other Beckworth Racing Team athletes also recorded good results in Port Macquarie:

• Josh McMahon finished fifth in the 30-34 age group with a time of 9.40, also qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championship
• Travis Beckley was 25th in the 35-39 age group with a time of 10.20
• Wesley Enticott was 37th in the 40-44 age group with a time of 11.08, beating his personal best by 38 minutes
• Mark Smith was 51st in the 40-44 age group with a time of 11.12 in his first Ironman event, and
• Travis Hore was 98th in the 45-49 age group with a time of 12.35.

In the IRONMAN 70.3 race, Deakin University senior lecturer Nolene Byrne was first in the 35-39 age group with a time of 4.58, and Brad Cole was 49th in the 35-39 age group with a time of 5.15.

Beckworth Racing Team coach Adam Beckworth was in Port Macquarie to offer his athletes support, and said he was over the moon with the results.