Wewak triumph in triathlon

THE Wewak Triathlon Club shifted into high gear on the 10km run leg to win the 2012 PNG National Triathlon championships in 2’19:14.00 in Port Moresby over the weekend.
The East Sepik team completed the 1.5km swim leg in the top five position and maintained that spot into the run course. It was on the third part of the triathlon course that the Sepik runner, Peter Narimole, surged ahead of four runners to claim first place.
Following closely behind and taking out the honours in the individual category was Scott Bishop (Port Moresby) in 2 hours 20 minutes and 47 seconds.  First female to finish was Susie Pini (Port Moresby) in 2’23:5.00.
The championship was a huge success with athletes from Port Moresby, Manus, Tabubil and East Sepik competing in the Olympic distance triathlon event – 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run at Ela Beach last Saturday.
“We had over 50 participants comprising a good mix of locals and expatriates slogging it out from six this morning,” PNG Triathlon Association president Stephen Damien said.
“Thankfully, the weather was kind to us with the humidity and the sun creeping out from under an overcast morning much later in the morning.”
Members of the Port Moresby swim club contributed some depth to the Telikom Cycling Club with its swimmers giving Telikom Team one and two an initial five-minute lead into the cycle leg. 
However, Lee Rassmuseen and Scott Bishop, members of the Port Moresby Cyclopaths Club, quickly chopped the advantage in their favour in the run leg. 
But it was the Wewak’s Narimole who edged out all the runners in the final race.
Bishop won the overall male category, Susie Pini the female category and Wewak the team category.
Damien thanked sponsors Bishops Bros, Curtin Bros, Expedient Transport, Wagambie Lawyers, Laz Kenni, Monier, Royal Papua Yacht Club, Raeco Ltd and PNG Sports Federation for their kind assistant.