Clarence Valley Triathlon 8th January 2012

A COURSE record for Adam Cartmell was the highlight for the large crowd that attended the Clarence Valley Triathlon at Yamba on Sunday.

Spectators and holiday-makers watched as competitors from across the region raced over the standard 500m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run course.

Cartmell can thank Ben Plunkett, who pushed him all the way to a course record, with splits of 6min 22sec for the 500m swim, 32.13 (including stage transition time) for the 20km cycle and 20.09 for the 5km run, for a total of 58min 44sec.

Both leading competitors will be pursuing different agendas throughout the year, according to event organiser Ray Hunt.

Cartmell will attempt the qualifiers to make the Australian team to compete in the World Age Group Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, later this year, while Plunkett will defend his Australian Age Group Surf Life Saving beach run title.

The first female home on corrected time was Kim Elvery in 62min 32sec.

There was also a large junior turnout, with outstanding performances.

Sam Cashman, 13, recorded the fastest time of 40min 17sec over the 200m swim, 10km cycle and 2km run. Brooke Porter showed no ill effects from the previous day's cycle criterium with the fastest 200m swim (3.55) and cycle (27.51).

Jay Adams, 8, also backed up from the cycle criterium and won the 150m swim, 6km cycle and 1km run. Alexa Leary, 10, was the fastest female in a time of 33min 08sec, from Liz Hyne in her first triathlon.

The youngest competitor of the day was Jorja Mainey, 7, who did well over the 50m swim, 3km ride and 500m run.

It was a tough decision, but the judges awarded the $10 Yamba Street Cafe voucher to William Arnold.

"There were other memorable performances, including a personal best by the old bloke Richard Crofton, who is getting better as he gets older," Hunt said.

After the misfortune of having a puncture in her first triathlon, Rowena Mitchell made amends by winning the handicap, holding off the fast-finishing Adam Cartmell and David Lovell.

For her excellent performance Mitchell won the cash voucher from Yamba Street Cafe.

Triston Allard did a bit of cross training in preparation for this year's rugby season, and Judy King, with her own personal distance, gave it a go for the sake of it.

The next triathlon at the Yamba Community Pool is on Sunday, January 22, starting at 7am for seniors and 8am for juniors.