Tri Alliance athletes take on Challenge Melbourne

The much anticipated Inaugural Scody Challenge Melbourne is being held this weekend at Green Point, Brighton.

The race features a 1 lap 1.9km swim in Port Phillip Bay, a 3 lap 90km cycle on the picturesque and famous Beach Road and a 3 lap 21.1km run overlooking the bay.

Tri Alliance is proud to be supporting this event, with 51 athletes racing, 20 athletes, friends and family running the Tri Alliance Run Aid Station at Hampton Lifesaving Club, and our Coaches providing a course overview and transition walk-through 9am on Saturday to ensure all athletes are as prepared for their race as they can be. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend all round.

The hot topic is the weather (expected tops of 41deg), however event management team SuperSprint Events are putting full measures in place to ensure a safe race for all competitors, so make sure you read their latest latest race update.

Tri Alliance has has a strong showing of 51 athletes (12 female, 39 male) racing this Long Distance event, with a high proportion of these athletes using the race as a lead in for Ironman Melbourne in just on 7 weeks time. The remaining long distance athletes are at their peak for this race, with our youngest athletes Catherine Allison and Ryan Bourke in top form and ready to take charge in the race.

Short Course specialist Geoffrey Taylor is lining up for his first Half Distance, along with new athletes Lisa Harrison, Laura Swasbrick and James Tyler. Chef Matt Head, SuperSprints own Jamie Marks, David Plush, Dominic Keating and our most senior female athlete Tracey Linquey also takes on their first race at this distance. Nathan Fay and Dan Brueckner know this distance and will find their groove.

Of our large Ironman Melbourne contingent, in the male waves, look for leaders on the swim and bike from Hawaii finishers Brett Archbold, Head Coach Ollie Allan and Jody Biddle and look for fast run finishes from Blake Henry, Tim French, Cameron McConville and Mizuno front runner Trent Harlow. Old hands Andrew Livingstone, Dave Nealon, Andy Wood-rich, Martin Sammut, Greg Nugent and Steve Bridges are ready to test where their training is at, and we wait eagerly to witness the friendly rivalry between Tim Grant, Sean Helmot and Des Minton to see who will come up trumps. And Brad Campbell, Scott Memery, Paddy Fitzgerald, Chris Mutimer, Brad Riddington, are all ready to test themselves over the distance in preparation for their first Ironman in 7 weeks time. We may have a few ‘none starters’ in our large group of males racing, but overall, we expect solid overall performances from all athletes based on training form, the biggest variable will be the weather conditions – those who prepare and race accordingly will see themselves come up on top.

In the females, our 30-34 age group remains consistent, with our own dietitian Margaret Mielczarek, Evalin Ling, Kerri Whitney all knowing this distance and prepping for IM Melbourne. Brianna Scarlett will farewell her Triathlon career for the time being at this race, and Michelle Bond is ready for her prep leading into her first Ironman. Narelle Crooks has been training the house down and will race her first race since having a baby 12 months ago in preparation to step up to the Ironman distance in March. So good luck and great racing to all the girls!

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