AT 65-years-old, Judy Tarleton is Orange’s newest national champion.
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Tarleton triumphed at last weekend’s Oceania Triathlon Union (OTU) Duathlon Championships in Adelaide, winning gold in the 65-69 years age group standard category, just 18 months after starting training.
“It’s just incredible,” she said yesterday.
“This is something I never ever thought I’d do. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was about 16, and I’ve been back on for about 18 months. Getting back on a bike was very daunting, but I’m slowly getting my confidence back.
“(That’s why) this is so unbelievable. I’m shocked, but also feeling a lot of pride as well.”
As a result of her win, Tarleton has earned the right to compete at next year’s 2015 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Duathlon World Championships, also in Adelaide.
“Wearing the green and gold of Australia will be incredible,” Tarleton said.
“I guess in a way this race was a bit of a practice run, and I could get to know the course before next year which I think is an advantage.”
Duathletes competing in the 65-69 division tackle two running legs and a cycling leg, 10, 40 and five kilometres long respectively.
Tarleton boasted a finishing time of three hours, 33 minutes and 18 seconds, clocking 1.05:00, 1.41:03 and 43:10 in the respective legs.
“Hopefully by next year I’m running a bit quicker. But the whole course was just beautiful, a wonderful course to run on,” she said.
Over 20 Orange duathletes competed at the championships, with several others bringing home medals.
Of the age group standard racers, Christine Wolfson brought home gold in the 45-49 year category, clocking 2.08:19, while Erin Doyle came second in the 30-34 years division with a time of 2.21:59.
Brian Sharp also earned a silver medal, passing the post in 2.47:21 in his 70-74 years division.
Orange racers also won several medals in the age group sprint events, including Janet Martin, who won her 40-44 years race, finishing in 1.07:12.
Estelle Dean finished just a minute and 47 seconds behind Martin in third, bringing home bronze in a time of 1.08.58, while Jess Richards earned a silver medal n the 30-34 years race, clocking 1.08:51.
All medal winners earn direct qualification for next year’s world championships, and Tarleton lauded her fellow local racers.
“It was a very big weekend, and everyone did very, very well.”