Matty White and Rebekah Keat take out Shepparton Campbell’s Half Ironman Triathlon

Matty White has delivered on his promise and won the Shepparton Cambell’s Half Ironman Triathlon in a time of 3:49:23 after a couple of runner up results. Pre race favourite Bek Keat also delivered on expectations with a commanding victory built on a dominant bike leg.

The men’s race was a tight one with Matty taking a slim 10 second lead into the run leg, and managing to hold off Josh Rix to win by just 18 seconds. Speaking with Trizone Matty said: “I was really hungry to win this race as I have come 2nd here on two occasions and the crowd support is fantastic, plus the Shep tri club put so much effort into this race each year. I felt really good all day but was pushed the whole way by Josh Rix so I couldn’t take it easy at any point of the 21km run. I am ecstatic to win this race and finally tick the box in Sheparton”.  Paul Attard rounded out the top 3, a couple of minutes back, and Ollie Whistler can be satisfied with his day to grab fourth slot.

Ollie commented “My swim bike was exactly what I wanted and felt fantastic but my run was horrible! ” despite not feeling good on the run Ollie still put in a fast 1:19:43 and reflected “That is kind of encouraging in some ways as I have never been in so much pain and in the hurt box so badly on the run as I was today…This experience I will carry on with me and I should benefit from it later down the track”.

The women’s race  had a  less tight finish with Rebekah Keat building up a five minute lead on the bike, which she was able to extend by a further minute by the finish.  Things may have been more interesting had  second placed Nicole Ward not copped a 5 min penalty on the bike. Nicole commented that she was still stoked with her time as it represented a PB for her, and that “I rode and ran mad and just went all out”. Sarah Pollett rounded out the top three.