Race Report #1

Wanaka Swim-Run Series 2008
Race 1
Media release

Pleasant conditions greeted the competitors for the first race of the second ever Swim-Run series to be held upon the shores of lake Wanaka. A generous first turn out of just under twenty competitors were the first to embark on what turned out to be an exiting course for both athletes and competitors.

The first race of the series was based around the swim exit race for the upcoming challenge Wanaka race the following weekend. Over half the field were involved in the challenge race and this was a good opportunity to get a good feel for the water, the transition area and swimming in the lake.

Beginning with a 400m swim for the long course and a 200m for the short, it was a fast and furious pace with some top swimmers out there competing. The short course competitors would emerge from the water first as the navigation seemed to be easier from their starting bouy giving them a straight line swim. The Long Course competitors after zig-zagging initially ended up only a minute down on the Short Course competitors into transition.

The transition turned out to be an action packed venue where both short and long course competitors quickly got their running shoes on and headed out onto either their 1.5km or 3km beach run.

The run was exciting as Chris Booth, Fi Fairbairn, Ben More and John Mezger all exited transition in close succession. Chris running the short course was about a minute ahead of Finn Fairbairn and Rose Gould who were second and third respectively in the short course race.
It was John Mezger, current NZ Xterra team (Off road Triathlon) who established himself early on in the run taking the lead within the first 750m and never looked back, building time on each lap he kept consistant and looked comfortable on both laps of the run.

Ben More showed a bit of resistance finishing only 20sec behind Mezger and finishing the run strongly. Fi Fairbairn finished in 3rd place 50sec behind the winner Mezger.

All the competitors were from the local area and showed a lot of promise as multisport athletes, the series is targeted at giving people an opportunity to ‘have a go’ in a less competitive environment with a fun atmosphere. We want to see as many people just out there enjoying it!

The series is based to build endurance by adding small distance to each race over the 5 race series. Swim-run Wanaka moves to Bremner Bay next Wednesday for race 2

End

Steve Gould
Race director
Wanaka Swim-Run Series 2008
021 2282644
www.swimrunwanaka.blogspot.com


Results

Long Course
1. John Mezger 19.19sec
2. Ben More 19.34sec
3. Fi Fairbairn 20.50sec

Short Course
1. Brendon Booth 14.08sec
2. Finn Fairbairn 16.28sec
3. Rose Gould 16.39sec