Rebekah Keat and Jimmy Johnsen back to defend their Shepparton Half Ironman Titles

On November 13th and 14th the Shepparton Triathlon Club will again host the Campbell’s Half Ironman Race Weekend.

This is the 13th year the Campbell’s Half Ironman event has been held. Over the years the race has grown in stature and is now a very popular and highly regarded event attracting triathletes internationally and Australia wide. This years Half Ironman is a “sell out” for the very first time in the history of the event.

This year will also see the largest field compete, with 950 competitors entered. The Shepparton Half Ironman organising committee had to review and alter its infrastructure in order to accommodate for the larger field.

Several big name pros are returning to compete for first place including last years winner, international triathlete Jimmy Johnsen (Denmark), Ironman legend Jason Shortis, last year’s female winner and race record holder Rebekah Keat, along with Kat Baker,  Lisa Marangon and Jodie Scott.

Jimmy Johnsen is looking forward to returning to Shepp to defend his title, “I really love the course at Shepparton. Being able to swim in the lake so close to the city centre is really nice, the bike course is really flat and fast and the run is hot and flat which is just how I like it!

I really like racing in Shepparton as the whole town seems to be behind the event and really cheer and encourage you while you’re out there. It’s such a great atmosphere, I have raced in major cities all around the world and Shepp is right up there.

I found Shepparton to be really well organised. Last year I did a home stay with a fantastic family and everything leading up to and on race day went very smoothly so as an athlete I had nothing to else to think about except race. I needed no convincing to come back!

Last year winning Shepparton was awesome and I can’t wait to come back and defend my title!”

If you have missed out on an entry in to the Campbell’s half ironman and want to have a piece of this great weekend the organisers say there are still positions available in the Quest Hexman event. This race is a 633m swim, 30km ride and 7km run and is ideal for those just starting out or like a bit of pace. Individuals and teams are welcome to enter.The Hexman ‘Corporate Cup’ is returning. All members of a Corporate Cup team (2 people minimum) need to be from the same workplace. The team name needs to be the business name (in part).

The winner of the Cup will receive $500 donated to the team’s nominated charity. The business needs to nominate the charity at the time of entering.

Winning team members will also receive product based prizes for them to wear/use with pride. A perpetual trophy / plaque will be presented to the winning team to be displayed in their work place.

This event is a great way to get your businesses name out there as a group of people willing to challenge themselves, keep fit and support a fantastic, locally run event. It can be a great team building exercise or just a way to fuel a bit of rivalry between businesses.

On Saturday the 13th of November, warm up and win some cash with the 2XU Open Water Swim. This event is a collaboration between Goulburn Valley Swimming Association and the Shepparton Triathlon Club and involves a quick 1500 metre open water swim in Kialla Lakes. There are a range of categories with a host of prizes for the fastest swimmers on the day.

Following the dash for cash is the Kids Go Try It event. Proudly sponsored by Shepparton Mc Donald’s, this provides kids with the opportunity to give ‘tri a try’. Kids get the chance to do a short swim, ride and run, with their efforts rewarded with a host of giveaways and competitors medal.

The Campbell’s Shepparton Half Ironman provides the chance to set a PB to try to better as the season progresses. A cash prize is again up for grabs donated by Concept Cars, for the first female and male to break the course record. In 2009 Rebekah Keat walked away with an extra $1,000 for breaking the female race record.

A major highlight of the weekend is the opportunity to meet and dine with the pros. On Friday 12th November come and join Mitch Anderson and Shorto to get some training, preparation and race tips from the best in the business. Tickets are available on the Shepparton Half Ironman website.