HPT News Dec 8

What a debut for Matty Underwood

Busso delivered yet again. I have seen every type of condition in the west since I have been coaching. Cold, wind, sharks, cancelled swims - you name it - I have seen it ! This time it delivered ideal swim and bike conditions and some oppressive heat on the run.

Things started rough on the morning with Nathan Dixon getting hit by a gastro bug on the night before the race. He had a crack at it but just couldnt rehydrate enough to continue after 90k on the bike.

KONA here we come !

In what was a crazy day in Busso we managed to grab two Kona slots !! Huge congratulations to Jonah Newton and Darren Alchin who will head over to the Big Island next October for the Ironman World Championships. We couldn’t be more happier for you both and look forward to the upcoming preparations!

Ironman :

Jonah Newton put together a very strong race and came away with an 8:43, 3rd in his AG and 5th overall. This is a 26min PB from his 2024 race. An outstanding effort from our young charger !!

Darren Alchin was what i like to call “clinical”. He has the ability to deliver even when things get tough in the second half of the run. This wasn’t. Daz’s fastest race but perhaps it was his best ? 10:08 finish time.

Paul Linton wasnt stoked with his swim, smashed out and incredible bike and toughed it out on the run when he wanted to stop. Stopping wasn’t going to happen but and he held on for a 10:11.

Jeff Davis got his desired sub 5 bike and put the rest of the race together well for a 10:42. Jeff is within an inch of the perfect race and we all know what that will look like when it comes.

Matty Underwood was on IM debut and he didn’t disappoint, stringing together a nicely executed balanced race that was brilliant. We all love seeing a first time finisher and Matty nailed it for his 11:31 !

Dave had cracking swim and run, PBing both. He was also running really well until things got ugly with his hips forcing hime to slow down. Hanging on for a 12:16 was a testament to his resilience and drive to stick it out.

70.3

Jen Medina - 5:15 and WINNER of her AG - literally blasted her way through the race, coming out of the water 18th and then laying on the fastest bike and run of her AG to win by 5min which was a 5min PB ! Jen smiles a lot but her smile was dialled up to 11 after that performance !

Kelly Linton had her challenges leading into the race but decided to race and see what happened anyway. A solid swim, sub 3 bike and a gutsy run gave her a 21min PB in 6:30.

Sydney Trail Half Marathon

Congrats to Justin Hess who raced this new race in 2:24 and was absolutely pumped (as he usually is)

Jonah Newton

Darren Alchin