The Triathlon community is in shock, mourning the passing of Max Clark over the weekend, a face and figure familiar to many in the sport.
Clark was a loyal supporter of the Contact Tri Series but will be familiar to many as a keen participant in many a triathlon, regardless of distance, conditions and venue, Clark could be relied upon to be on the start line in the 70+ age group.
Hard to miss with his ever present knee bandages and camel back water supply, Clark was an instantly recognisable figure and received many a ‘go Max' from spectators – most of them strangers to Max but he not to them.
Event Director at Tri NZ Haidee Stratford still can't quite believe the news.
"I was just in shock when I heard the news and can't believe that at our next event in Whangamata Max won't be there on the start line. Even if they didn't know him to talk to, everyone knew Max to shout out encouragement as he would trundle by. I can't recall any event when he didn't finish and I am just so pleased that one of my memories of Max will be the cheers he received from the waiting crowd in Rotorua as he crossed the finish line. He has been one of our most loyal supporters and will be sadly missed, one of the great characters in our community with the sport the poorer for his passing.”
Clark was most recently a participant at the Contact Tri Series in Rotorua and was to have raced at the Barfoot & Thompson World Cup event in Auckland on Sunday. Sadly though, Max drowned while taking on a training swim at St Heliers on Saturday, no other details are available at this time.
The team at Triathlon New Zealand send condolences to Max's partner Carol and his family and friends at this very sad time and will take time to remember Max throughout the remainder of the Contact Tri Series.
