It was a case of déjà vu at Mt Maunganui last weekend with two familiar faces winning the Tinman triathlon.
Fresh off victories at the opening round of the Contact Tri Series in Rotorua, one week later Maddy Brunton and Callum Millward were again flying the winner’s flag.
For the men, Kieran Doe led out of the water with youngsters Michael Poole (current Port of Tauranga Half Champion) and Owen Miller right on his heels. Doe stayed strong on the bike and was soon joined by the Bowstead brothers. Stalking all three Mount Maunganui regulars was Callum Millward - no doubt the run speed Millward can unleash was on the minds as they heading into transition.
Off the bike Millward wasted no time on the 10km course and soon hit his stride taking his prey one by one. With Doe his only barrier from victory, Millward once again left it to the last minute and took the lead coming off the Mount Base track, coming home to victory just six seconds ahead of Doe.
James Bowstead raced well to finish in the top three with younger brother, Mark Bowstead affected by a cold showed maturity and commitment to finish fourth. Jamie Whyte, fresh off a second in Taiwan 70.3 come in fifth.
The women’s field also had some current triathlon stars. Maddy Brunton, unable to fly under the radar this year, was going to find tough competition to retain her 2009 title. Lucky for her she brought her running legs and after losing some time in the swim to Janine Simpson and Belinda Harper. Brunton came in with the fastest run split of the day of 42:23 to take her second title at the Tinman and to cap off a remarkable two weeks.
With over 750 athletes registered to take part, none would have left the Mount disappointed. Bay of Plenty turned it on for the Tinman competitors and with two cruise ships arriving at the start it certainly added to the experience.
While some athletes were using the Tinman as a training day for the Port of Tauranga Half in January, a large number also using this community focused event as their first experience in the sport which show the pathways available in this event to athletes as they embark on their triathlon careers.
Top five results
Men
1.Callum Millward 0:19:25 0:58:37 0:35:16 1:55:29 (Auckland)
2.Kieran Doe 0:18:22 0:58:56 0:36:38 1:55:35 (Auckland)
3.James Bowstead 0:20:18 0:57:01 0:37:01 1:56:03 (Waiuku)
4.Mark Bowstead 0:19:23 0:57:57 0:38:00 1:57:09 (Waiuku)
5.Jamie Whyte 0:20:13 1:00:50 0:39:46 2:02:42 (Auckland)
Women
1.Maddy Brunton 0:22:10 1:03:59 0:42:23 2:10:12 (Hamilton)
2.Janine Simpson 0:21:34 1:03:32 0:44:09 2:11:12 (Tauranga)
3.Michelle Bremer 0:23:21 1:04:25 0:44:07 2:14:03 (Auckland)
4.Belinda Harper 0:21:34 1:03:51 0:46:51 2:14:27 (Auckland)
5.Megan Blackett 0:21:35 1:06:53 0:46:19 2:16:47 (Auckland)
