IT WAS expected to be a mostly local show.
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It was definitely a locally dominated show.
The three overall winners in the Morley Auto Group Aquathlon men’s, women’s and teams categories were all taken out by Echuca locals.
A strong field took to the waters on Saturday afternoon, a smaller group than in previous years due to the absence of the bike leg.
It didn’t stop the competitors from performing strongly on the day, with a quick swim leg setting most individuals and teams up to produce good times.
Though the race wasn’t smooth sailing for the entire event.
Chaos ensued mid way through the running leg, with seven members of the lead running group veering off course and missing the initial split timing area.
It caused officials to have to manually change the times for a number of winners, and resulted in the lead group adding extra work to their race.
Though it hardly slowed the leader down.
Local dynamo Archie Reid added to his 2018 Sweat v Steam 5km win by claiming the overall men’s victory in a time of 36:07.
It was a big change for Reid, who has previously competed in the event as a member of teams, but never run the event as an individual.
‘‘It’s something I wasn’t used to, but I like the challenge of that,’’ he said.
‘‘The first kilometre of the run was a really strange feeling for me because my legs were so heavy from having completed the swim. It wasn’t something that I’d really had to deal with in competition.
‘‘But I backed my fitness in to get me over the line.
‘‘I’m really excited to get the win as I’ve never actually had an overall at this event.’’
Rebecca Cladingboel followed up the local form as the first female over the line in 40:52.
‘‘That was a tough race,’’ she said.
‘‘Swimming isn’t my strongest area of competition, so I had a lot of ground to make up when I hit the run.’’
Cladingboel conceded she missed the bike leg as it usually gives her time to recover.
‘‘I’ve never run an aquathlon before, so I’ve never gone straight onto the run.
‘‘I use the bike to regain my composure.
‘‘The bike has become one of my stronger points, so in a way it was good to have a hit out on those legs instead today.
‘‘I had to do a fair bit of chasing when I got out of the water, so getting home and winning is something I’m very proud of.’’
The team’s event was taken out by two gun local competitors who were strangely competing together for the first time.
Husband and wife Ryan and Michelle Kervin, inspired on by daughter Mia, were in the top five overall across the line in 39:51.
With both having experience in the sport, the local dream team was going to be hard to beat.
‘‘We didn’t really train for this event,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘We were focused on other events and made a spur of the moment decision to put this one together.’’
It was a full family affair for the Kervin’s.
‘‘Our team name is ‘Mia’s parents’,’’ Ryan laughed.
‘‘It’s strange, but we have never actually competed together,’’ Michelle said.
‘‘It was nice to do it. The three of us love to train together, so Mia was our mascot tonight.
‘‘I’m glad she got to see us compete together.’’