|
10th Anniversary Capricorn Resort Half Ironman breaks the box office!
posted: 16 June 2009 It’s ten years old this year and on the strength of the 2009 entry, Australia’s best kept triathlon secret is a secret no longer as a decade into its life, the Capricorn Resort Half Ironman at Yeppoon in Central QLD is looking at a full field, headlined by some great names.
Organisers, X-Tri Australia, expect the August 16th event to sell out before the end of June, and the field right now is already the largest ever for the unique event, held in the middle of winter, in the middle of Qld, on the Tropic of Capricorn.
Based at the Capricorn Resort – Yeppoon, the 2009 event has attracted a strong field of front running names, from both sides of the Tasman and the field is split between champions from Australia and New Zealand.
The men’s field is presently headed by Port Macquarie’s Tim Berkel, the 2008 Ironman Western Australia winner taking on Melbourne fast star, Josh Rix, and rapidly rising youngsters, Tim Reed and Adam Holborrow. Challengers include an elite member of the Australian Long Distance team, James Crowther and a New Zealand trio comprising NZ Long Distance champ, Duncan Milne and fast Kiwis, Andrew Mackay and James Bowstead.
With seasoned veterans included such as David Meade, Brad Eastwood and David Wenkart, and some new names and faces to the open category lists, it’s a strong field (there are 21 open category competitors) and it could get stronger yet!
The women’s field is currently headed by Australian LD Champ, Nicole Ward, with challengers including Tara Prowse, who has been notching up top ten results in recent Ironman 70.3 races, and Age group Champ in the Australian Half Ironman series, Rebecca Everleigh. The Aussie trio face a Kiwi challenge in Megan Blackett, who is stepping up to her first ever Half ironman event.
Arguably there may be more attention in one of the age grouper racers than any of the elite competitors, as original Big Four racer, Hall of Famer, and 1988 Hawaiian Ironman champion, Scott “The Terminator” Molina (with 104 major career victories) is heading into town for the 10th anniversary race at Yeppoon, and he’s competing too.
Scott revisited Hawaii last year, winning his age group in Hawaii, twenty years after winning the race!
Competing alongside the stars and legends will be 600+ age group athletes from all around Australia and New Zealand, and further afield; the event also drawing a record international field.
Competitors will be looking to validate entry for the 2010 Ironman Australia race at Port Macquarie and many are looking maximise points in the annual Australian Half Ironman Series.
Adding to the influx of competitors plus family and friends will be the many volunteers who annually assist the race, making it one of the friendliest on the national series trail. Local Volunteers are welcome and can register for the event directly on the race website, where all event information and secure online entry is to be found also, at www.capricornhalf.com.
:: back :: | 
