Alexander Evans claimed overall honours in the 2026 Echuca Moama Triathlon. Photos: Matthew Kappos
Another Echuca Moama Sprint Triathlon has been run and won and two first-time entrants claimed the victory in the male and female superclass.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
As part of the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club’s multisport weekend more than 600 entrants took part across three separate events; the junior triathlon on Saturday morning, sprint triathlon that afternoon and the Wharf to Winery swim early Sunday.
“We had a fantastic weekend again, everything went super smooth and we've already had so much fantastic feedback from athletes and people spectating as well,” race director Sarah Mulkearns said.
“They just love to come down and watch our event over the weekend, which is awesome.”
Temperatures topped out in the low-mid 30s on Saturday, adding to the strain on the competitors.
“We've had hotter days, but when you were out there racing (it was tough),” Mulkearns said.
“You could see people who came across the finish line that were pretty spent and gave it their all out there, but it was manageable.”
Alexander Evans claimed the overall honours in the David Meade Superclass, completing the 700m swim, 20km bike and 5km run course in 56 minutes and 36 seconds.
Evans becomes the 10th different winner of the men’s event in as many years.
Contrastingly, the past four women’s line honours had gone to now professional ironwoman Regan Hollioake, but with the reigning champion not in attendance the field was wide open.
It was another Echuca-Moama course debutant who took home the title, Laura Gillard logging a time of 1.2:16, more than four minutes clear of her nearest rival.
Laura Gillard won the female section by four minutes.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
In its 27th year, the triathlon continues to attract new and returning competitors.
“The distinction that we have for our event is it's just unique,” Mulkearns said.
“It's just that little bit different to a lot of other triathlons being right in the heart of our town here, running through the Port of Echuca, under the wharf, riding over the old bridge.
“There are so many unique things about our event, I think that's what draws people back and then just coming and staying for the weekend.
“We have lots of people who come and return every year, but then we also see plenty of new faces each year as well, which is great to see.”
Earlier on Saturday, the juniors had their time in the spotlight facing short or long-course events around Moama beach.
The long course event (80m swim, 6km bike, 1.2km run) was won by Taj Walker, while Emma Wyatt prevailed in the female section.
In the short course (50m swim, 3km bike, 600m run), Hugo Fellner took overall honours, while Josephine Gronow was first female.
The weekend wrapped up with the Wharf to Winery swim on Sunday morning, with competitors taking on either 1.5km or 3km swims downstream to Morrison’s winery.
Tharusha Perera took out the 3km event with a time of 27 minutes, 40 seconds, while Lucy Collins won out in the female category, finishing in 29:5.
The 1.5km distance saw Olivia Collins dominate, winning clearly in 18:5, while Taj Walker backed up his junior win with victory in the male section, completing the course in 19:39.
The 1.5km has been a popular addition to the Wharf to Winery in recent years.
“What that's allowed is some juniors to come and enjoy that, because juniors can't swim our 3km one,” Mulkearns said.
“So it allows juniors and more people just to get a taste of that swim and then realise that they can do that and then hopefully jump up to the 3km distance in the next year or two.”
One of the fixture events of the town calendar, the multisport weekend is run by the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club and an army of volunteers and sponsors.
“A big thanks to all our volunteers, sponsors and partners that have been with us for quite a number of years,” Mulkearns said.
“Without those, we wouldn't be able to put on such a fantastic event.”
32°C