Dey finally nails national title

Lindsay Dey.
Lindsay Dey.
After 15 years of trying, Lindsay Dey can finally call himself a national triathlon champion.

The 69-year-old got to stand on the top step of the podium following a tremendous effort at the Triathlon New Zealand standard-distance national championships in Christchurch at the weekend.

Dey finished first in his age-group (70-74) but it was mighty tense towards the end.

''It is the first national championship win in probably 15 years of doing the sport, so from that perspective it is very rewarding,'' he said.

''It was a close-run race as they say.

''There were three of us who finished within a minute and 20 seconds of each other.

''It was quite amazing to be that close to each other after what was a bit over three hours.''

Dey completed the 1500m swim, 39km cycle leg and 10km run in 3hr 14min 50sec.

He considered that a slow time but it was a challenging course which included some testing climbs.

With more than 200 competitors in the field, Dey was not sure where his age-group rivals were placed until the last 5km of the run.

It was a loop running course and he was relieved to note they were trailing, but not by much.

The win means Dey has qualified for the world championships which are scheduled for the Gold Coast in September.

''That was the aim of the exercise ... to qualify. As the winner you get automatic selection for the event.

''It is on the same course as the Commonwealth Games.''

But more immediately, Dey is preparing for the Masters Games which start in Dunedin on Saturday, and Challenge Wanaka a fortnight later.

Other Otago athletes to perform well included Kerry Rowley, who finished second in the women's 40-44 age-group, and Julia Hunt, who was the eighth-fastest woman and finished second in the women's 20-24 age-group.

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