Sport
1 May, 2026
Local Jeff Beer becomes Male 45-49 AusTriathlon State Series champion
Maryborough’s own Jeff Beer recently swam, rode and ran his way to a state championship at the AusTriathlon’s Victorian Championship Series.
Among the 34 athletes who competed in the Male 45-49 category, Beer ended the five-race series with an outstanding 126 points, a crowning achievement for someone who picked up the sport well into his 30s.
After participating in several local events organised by the Maryborough and District Triathlon Club and competing in the 2XU series in Melbourne, Beer joined the GPC triathlon squad three years ago, guided by tailored training.
While Beer is proud to see his hard work and dedication pay off with his recent personal achievement, he said he’s more glad he can compete in an encouraging environment.
“It’s a bit of a shock, it’s obviously been a great achievement to do,” he said.
“My triathlon journey’s been great, I’ve met such fantastic people, and there are some great athletes out there that you compete with.
“I’ve never met such a great community in my life. You’re talking about a community where they all want to see you do well.
“You could have just a normal average bike, rack it against someone that’s got a $20,000 bike, and they’re quite happy to talk to you.
“Even over the finish line, most people really do want to push you along and try to make you go harder.”
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The AusTriathlon’s Victorian Championship Series tests the versatility of triathletes with each event shifting multisport disciplines and distances.
Even with the format challenging his strengths and weaknesses, Beer excelled, continuously producing some stellar performances.
After starting the series with a bronze medal at Ballarat’s bike and run duathlon, Beer also finished third at Shepparton’s swim and run aquathon, despite swimming being his weakest discipline.
Beer clinched the championship with solid finishes at the Sandringham standard distance triathlon (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run) and the sprint triathlon (half of the standard race distance) held in Elwood.
“It certainly does test your skill level, especially when you’ve got the duathlon and aquathon,” Beer said.
“Because swimming is one that I’ve had to really concentrate on to pick myself up, I’ve gotten into a similar mindset to running.
“You pick a cadence and you just try to keep with it and make sure your technique is right with the swimming because it’s a very big thing.”
Beer credits the Maryborough and District Triathlon Club for cultivating his passion for the sport.
“Without the local club here, you wouldn’t just have that opportunity to compete or even try it out,” he said.
“It’s been really great to have that, especially if you’re new to it and you’re a bit inexperienced out on an open road on a bike, it’s only a matter of asking and there’s someone always willing to help out.”
As he gets closer to his 50s, Beer said he remains passionate about being physically active.
“For me, it’s very important. Now and then, I do think, why am I doing this?” he said.
“I have had a couple of health issues in the past when I wasn’t active and I was a little bit overweight. So I’ve got to keep thinking back to when I did have a couple of health issues.
“In saying that, I’ve got the other issues now of keeping my body in check because I am turning 50. So managing my workload is a big thing.”