Meade holds the record for most race wins with seven, taking out the inaugural event before going back-to-back in 2001 and 2002.
A remarkable four-peat from 2004 to 2007 saw Meade leave an indelible legacy as one of the region's finest triathletes.
But following a battle with illness, the much-loved regional sportsman passed away in October last year at the age of 52, coming as a shock to many in his home town of Bendigo and in Echuca.
Meade’s legacy will live on at this weekend’s Echuca-Moama Triathlon, however, as the namesake of the newly dubbed superclass category — the David Meade Superclass.
The superclass triathletes will be the first wave to commence the sprint triathlon on Saturday from 6pm, with the winner of the men and female categories to have their names etched on to the perpetual victor’s trophy alongside Meade.
Echuca Moama Triathlon Club member Warren Lowry picked up the sport with Meade as kids but said his long-time friend was just at another level.
“He moved out to Wakool as a youngster, and we just grew up together playing some footy and basketball,” Lowry said.
“But by the time I joined the army when I was 17, we were fully into triathlon. He moved to Bendigo for work and just got a taste for the sport.
“He became a machine training-wise, and it wasn’t long after that he just didn’t lose anything. He was the only one finishing in the pro categories who wasn’t a pro.
“He owned this race, this one and Shepparton. That half-iron-man in Shepp he used to win that almost every year.
“He was a very good long-course athlete.”
A founding member of the Bendigo Triathlon Club (BTC), Meade’s achievements in the sport of triathlon make for impressive reading.
He was Bendigo’s club champion on 13 occasions, a six-time Victorian Long Course Champion, and competed in the Australian Ironman 10 times with a best overall finish of fifth in 2001.
Meade finished outside the top 10 competitors just once in that time, moving on to one of world triathlon’s biggest challenges — the 2000 Hawaiian Ironman.
Meade finished 67th overall in a time of 9:29:37, the first Australian to cross the line that year.
But it wasn’t just on the triathlon course where he felt most comfortable.
A 28-year-old Meade took out the Adelaide Marathon in 1998 and competed in the Melbourne edition six times from 1996-2002, with a second-place finish in 2002 his best finish.
“Winning the Adelaide Marathon as a triathlete is nuts,” Lowry said.
Meade’s influence as a renowned sporting mentor was also felt as the Regional Talent Lead for the Bendigo Pioneers, helping to oversee the development of some of the region's rising football talents.
Meade spent “countless hours” bettering budding sportspeople, said friend and BTC life member Troy Cartner.
“To gain David's respect as an athlete or person it was never about your ability but your effort and dedication; just give him 100 per cent that’s all you needed to do,” he said.
“He spent countless hours helping triathletes with training programs and bike set-ups, so they could improve and enjoy the sport.
“He also had this approach at a junior level in triathlons and junior football where he also coached.
“He genuinely wanted to help and see you succeed, whether that be in sport, business or general life.”
Meade is survived by wife Paula and sons Billy and Jack.
• The 24th Echuca Moama Triathlon Club Multisport Weekend takes place on Saturday, January 21, for the Moama Bowling Club Junior Duathlon and Morley Auto Group Sprint Triathlon, while the Cavalier Homes Wharf to Winery 3km swim will commence on Sunday, January 22.
Entries for the 2023 Morley Auto Group Echuca Moama Triathlon close on Thursday, January 19, with no registrations to be taken on the day. For more information and to enter, head to www.echucamoamatriclub.com
14°C