Sport
22 August, 2025
Triathlon season launches
The Maryborough and District Triathlon Club conducted its first event of its 2025/26 club championship season from the Maryborough Sports & Leisure Centre on Sunday, August 17, in cold and wet weather, which presented unfamiliar conditions for triathletes.
The club hosted a duathlon with a long course event (2 km run, 8 km ride, and 2 km run), and a short course event (1.5 km run, 4 km ride, and 1.5 km run).
In the Open male long course, it was a very entertaining competition between Josh Britten, Cooper Mark, and triathlon newcomers Jak and Phil Powell, all producing outstanding performances.
Britten took an early lead on the run leg with Mark, Jak and Phil Powell within striking distance in readiness for the cycle leg.
All triathletes excelled on the cycle and second run legs, with Mark able to surge to cross the finish line and take first place (34:10).
Britten ended up in second (35:32), with Jak Powell close behind in third (38:10).
The Open female short course category was also an enthralling competition, with graduating triathlete Ella Govan joining the open field along with Kate Cain and Sophie Mark after several years in the U16 category.
Govan displayed her strong running form early to produce a break on Cain and Sophie Mark heading into the cycle leg.
Govan was able to maintain this early break throughout the final two legs to produce her maiden Open female win in a time of 25:12.
Little separated Cain and Sophie Mark throughout the entire event, with Sophie Mark eventually crossing the finish line in second (29:52) and Cain in third (31:54).
Young Sienna Mark made her triathlon debut in club championship events, teaming up with her father Marty to complete the short course team category.
Sienna Mark displayed strong form, especially in the cycle leg, to complete the course along with her father’s support on the second run leg in a time of 34:09.
The next event on the 2025/26 club calendar will be a reverse triathlon from the Maryborough Sports & Leisure Centre on Sunday, September 14.
Course distances will be long course (2 km run, 8 km ride, and 400 m swim), and short course (1.5 km run, 4 km ride, and 200 m swim).
To find out more about the club, its activities, membership, or calendar of club events, please contact club secretary Jenny Barras on 0423 495 768, send an email to mbtriathlonclub@icloud.com, or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook/ maryboroughtriclub.com