Linton athlete makes up for lost time

4 December 2007

James Rutledge gives 110% during the swim phase of the Linton triathlon. His effort saw his 25 ESS team take the honours for the teams' section. As part of the organising team, physical training instructors were disqualified from entering the annual 2nd Land Force Group’s annual triathlon last year.

Luke Woodroff, of 2nd Health Support Battalion, did not have that problem this year and took out the open men’s title at Linton a few weeks ago. He completed the 25km cycle course, 400m swim and 5km run in an impressive 1h 4m 53s, clipping more than 6m off last year’s best time.

Similarly, the individual open women’s section was taken out by Officer Cadet School’s Emily Hume in a comfortable 7m better than last year’s mark.

Event co-ordinator, Corporal Dauwie Morgan, said there was a significantly bigger turnout this year, with more than 150 registrations for individual and teams’ competition.

With the triathlon behind them, Linton Gymnasium personnel are now pulling out the stops for their next big event, the Black Ball Relay, to be held on December 7-8.

Last year’s inaugural 24-hour relay raised $20,000 for a trust fund for the children of the late Sergeant Nathan Blackler, who died after a courageous fight against cancer.

Taking a well-earned swig is Luke Woodroff (2 HSB Gym), who completed the event in a scorching 1hr 4m 53s. With him is David Maetzig, who had him in his sights all the way. This year’s event co-ordinator, Lance Corporal Aaron James, said the proceeds this year would go to the Manawatu Abuse Intervention Network (MAIN).

“We have enlarged on last year’s format and the concept is to make it a carnival atmosphere with the focus not just on the relay itself.” By late last month 12 civilian teams had been entered by Manawatu businesses and every unit on the camp has entered at least one team.

Triathlon results:

  • Open team: 1st 25 ESS, 2nd V Coy, 3rd 2 HSB.
  • Individual open men: 1st L. S. Woodroff (2 HSB), 1h 4m 53s), 2nd D. Maetzig (25 ESS), 3rd J. Boulton (25 ESS).
  • Individual open women: 1st E. Hume (OCS) 1h 17m 8s, 2nd K. Hayes 2 HSB, 3rd K. White 2Sigs Sqn.
  • Veteran men: 1st B. Keelan (V Coy) 1h 16m 11s, 2nd L. Skelton (2 Wksp).
  • Veteran women: M. Ryder (10 Tpt) 1h 18m 33s, 2nd J. Vanderpoel (2 (HSB), 3rd K. Adams (2 LFG).

Image Gallery - Issue 383

This page was last reviewed on 10 December 2007 and is current.

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