Sunny and warm conditions met the athletes on Sunday 12th December, in stark contrast to the past weeks weather which lead to water conditions being such that the swim was cancelled and replaced with a 4km run. Many of the river crossings remained inpassable and the cycle course was altered to five 17km laps. Conditions would play right into the hands of the runners and signal the demise of others who were challenged by running injuries.

Ben Bell lead home the Scott Endurance Team. With the fastest run split of the day, almost 2min faster than the eventual race winner, Ben took 3rd in the a tightly contested battle for the 35-39 category and 10th place overall. Next in was Luke Zweers for his first Half Ironman race, a solid cycle leg set Zweers up for a an excellent run to finish 9th in the 25-29 category.

Marijke Ralph and Erin Hargrave duelled all day, both in the 25-29 category and within the womens top 10. Erin set the race up with afast first run, Marijke gradually but surely realed her in on the cycle, exiting T2 with a 3min lead onto the run Marijke had a comfortable gap however with the fastest runner in the field breathing down her neck she knew she would have to keep the pressure on and run to the line. Marijke holding her out by just on a minute to take the with in the 25-29 category and 6th overall, with Erin taking 2nd in the 25-29 category and 7th overall.

Other notable mentions for the day were, Cathy Tulloh taking 1st in the 55-59 category with an outstanding cycle, Bob Scott 8th 55-59 category and fastest cycle split for the category yet again, Ed Birchall having a massive day on the cycle with an awesome split and Hugh Gilberg 4th 60-64 category. Unfortunatley 2 DNF's from Alex Price and James Egan, both of whom were having excellent races and both succumbed to ongoing lower limb injuries which were aggrivated by the double run.

Well done to all!