Gunnedah triathletes excelled in Newcastle last weekend as a small group raced at the 31st annual Sparke Helmore Triathlon.
Wins to Donna Hickey and Josh Spinks and a silver medal for Kelly Watson emphasised the team’s strength, and all the adult competitors earned points towards representing Australia in 2025.
As this was the first qualifying race of the season for the sprint distance category, five Gunnedah females received a taste of racing at a higher level with points allocated based on finishing positions in their age groups.
Donna hasn’t been beaten in a race since she finished second in the 2018 World Triathlon Championships on the Gold Coast in the 60 to 64 age group.
Donna is an eight-time Australian champion and was crowned World Sprint Distance champion in 2009, also on the Gold Coast.
It was no surprise Donna was first home in the 65 to 69 age group last Sunday. She finished more than five minutes ahead of her nearest competitor, and became the first Gunnedah triathlete to qualify for the World Championship next year.
Kelly Watson was runner-up in the 45 to 49 age group by just 18 seconds, and Nichole Carlyon was 18th in the 50 to 54 age group.
Nichole was just in front of Sarah Stewart, who was in eighth place in the 35 to 39 age group.
Annette Cruickshank was next to finish with an impressive 12th in the 60 to 64 age group.
One of Gunnedah’s fastest ever junior male swimmers and the fastest runner over the 800 metres and 1500 metres in Gunnedah Little Athletics history, Josh, won the male junior age group as he did his first official triathlon.
Surprised by the rough-house open water swim, Josh took a little while to adjust before being second out of the water.
Josh’s transition skills were evident when he was first onto the bike for the technical 5km course near Nobbys Beach before leading from start to finish on the 2.5km run leg including to the lighthouse and back.
Reggie Stewart made it three generations racing on the day when she competed in the 7 to 9 year juniors, finishing 17th overall and fifth female.
With Reggie being Sarah’s daughter and Donna’s granddaughter, it was a memorable day for this family.