More than 70 three-person teams and 40 individual racers from 13 schools across the provinces competed in the Otago-Southland Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships at the McNulty inlet on Lake Dunstan yesterday.
The pupils pushed through a 300m lake swim, a 6km run and a 15km bike, while multisporters kayaked for 3km.
Sport Central regional co-ordinator Bill Godsall said it was the best group of competitors the race had had in a long time.
‘‘We thought the kids were absolutely outstanding.
‘‘They all stuck to the rules and supported each other.''
The day was warm and overcast and competitors managed to avoid the heavy rain forecast for Cromwell.
‘‘We got a light dusting just as they were finishing, just to cool everyone off.''
It was not a qualifying event but the leading athletes will compete in the South Island championships in Oamaru in March.
-by Jono Edwards
